Sunnis favoured, says Hyderabad’s Shia community

Hyderabad: During Ramzan, the minority welfare commission allots funds for different activities related to the festival, including funds for amenities at various religious shrines.

The Shia community claims that only the Sunni community is allotted funds for development of masjids during Ramzan, and they don’t receive any money from the Wakf Board even though the holy month holds equal significance for both the communities.

“We don’t allot any funds to the Shia community during Ramzan but we do give them funds at the time of Muharram for basic amenities to maintain ashoorkhanas” said Sheikh Mohammed Iqbal, former special officer, Wakf Board.

In 1998, an amount of Rs 35,000 was granted to a few Shia institutions, but nothing came their way afterwards.

A representation was made for their welfare and in 2000. The Supreme Court ordered the Andhra Pradesh government to form a separate Wakf board for the Shia community, but this has not been done so far.

There are Shia masjids in the city located at Darulshifa, Dabirpura, Kotla Alijah, Tank bund and Meerpet.

“Muharram is not a festival like Ramzan. While other Muslims are getting funds, why are Shias being neglected? During Ramzan when people cannot travel to the masjids, they go to the nearest Ashoorkhanas to offer prayers, so it is obvious that they too need to be developed,” said Syed Faiq Hussain, a Shia businessman.

Syed Hamed Hussain Jaffery, president, AP Shia Youth Conference, said, “We have been sending representations to the Wakf Board since the last few years seeking funds so that we can repair dilapidated religious properties, but nothing has been done by the minority welfare commission till date. The structures remain in the same pitiable condition.”