- Telangana Govt to arrange permanent elephant for Moharram processions: Shabbir
Hyderabad, July 5: Advisor to the Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Saturday paid a visit to the historic Bibi Ka Alawa at Dabeerpura in Hyderabad, offering flowers and ‘dhatti’ to the sacred Bibi-Ka-Alam-e-Mubarak during the solemn days of mourning that commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala.
He was accompanied by Hyderabad District Congress Committee President Waliullah Sameer, TPCC spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin, Charminar constituency in-charge Mujeebullah Shareef, Yakutpura incharge Rajender Raju, and other senior Congress leaders. Shabbir Ali paid rich tributes to the supreme sacrifices of Imam Hussain (RA) and his followers who laid down their lives for the values of justice and truth, an event deeply revered by lakhs of people in Hyderabad and across the world.
Speaking on the occasion, Shabbir Ali strongly condemned the killing of thousands of innocent people, including women and children, in Gaza, by Israel and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. He described the ongoing violence in Gaza as inhumane and said the international community must not remain silent but should unite to stop such atrocities and protect human lives.
He also highlighted the arrangements made by the Congress government in Telangana for the smooth and dignified observance of Moharram across the state. Shabbir Ali pointed out that despite several logistical challenges, the traditional elephant for carrying the Bibi Ka Alam had been arranged with special efforts, ensuring that centuries-old customs continued without interruption. He further revealed that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had approved the purchase of two elephants exclusively to be used for state functions and religious or cultural processions, a move aimed at preserving Telangana’s composite culture and maintaining the grandeur of such events.
Shabbir Ali appreciated the Hyderabad district administration and concerned officials for making fool-proof arrangements, including security, sanitation and emergency services, to ensure that devotees could participate in the rituals without any inconvenience.
He said Hyderabad’s Moharram, known for its grandeur and communal harmony, attracts lakhs of people from all faiths who come together to remember the sacrifice of the martyrs of Karbala. The Bibi Ka Alawa procession, which has been a central part of the city’s spiritual and cultural life since the Qutb Shahi and Nizam eras, remains a symbol of unity, courage and devotion. Shabbir Ali reiterated that the Congress government stood committed to protecting and promoting such rich traditions and would extend all possible support to communities observing religious commemorations with peace and dignity. (eom)