“In the dead of a Karachi night, a shivering mourner, Afsar Hussain Rizvi, stood at my door, pressing 125 rupees into my hand for the masjid and Imambargah Darbar-i-Husaini, Husainabad, Malir [1954]. When I questioned his urgency, his voice, raw with desperation, pierced the silence: ‘I have no food in my house, and I needed to deposit this money now. I was terrified I would succumb to my children’s cries — their hunger is beyond my endurance.’” — Dr Aqeel Abbas Jaffery in Karachi Ki Azadaari — Ibtidaai Nuqoosh: 1950 Tak

“We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.” — Winston Churchill 

Every year on the 29th of Zilhaj, a powerful transformation sweeps across Karachi’s imambargahs. Vibrant flags give way to sombre black, publicly signalling the solemn start of Muharram, the month of mourning for Imam Hussain (AS).

This deeply symbolic act ignites a city-wide flurry of activity — from setting up of sabeels [water stalls] to final touches on meticulously pre-planned majalis [religious gatherings] and shab-bedaari [night-long vigils]. Sir Winston Churchill’s profound insight into the symbiotic relationship between human agency and the built environment finds its ultimate expression.

Karachi’s 200-plus significant imambargahs transcend mere structures. Deeply woven into the city’s soul, these spiritual anchors, founded by passionate individuals, are a powerful testament to how the fusion of history, faith and culture narrates incredible stories of human fortitude. The following are snapshots of some of the earliest landmarks.

From humble pre-Partition origins, and born out of unwavering devotion, Karachi’s earliest imambargahs organically evolved into dynamic spiritual anchors that have defined the city’s cultural fabric over the decades. On the occasion of Ashura, Eos sheds light on some of Karachi’s most iconic Shia landmarks…

IMAMBARGAH SIRAJ,
LYARI (CIRCA 1775)

Dr Aqeel Abbas Jaffery, in his seminal work Karachi Ki Azaadari — Ibtidaai Nuqoosh: 1950 Tak, unearths a compelling truth: the city’s oldest imambargah, dating back approximately 250 years, stands near Sarafa Bazaar in Kharadar, Lyari. Originally named Imambargah Siraz — a name echoed on its Sindhi script plate as “Imam Warah Siraz” — it paid homage to the indigenous Sindhi Shias, known as Siraji, who inhabited Moosa Lane.

Their distinct tradition of lamentation is characterised by slow, low-tempo chest-thumping. It is widely inferred that this venerable institution later evolved its name to Imambargah Shiraz, a graceful concession to the renowned city of Shiraz, Iran. Concurrently, the adjacent neighbourhood, once intimately known as Siraz Jo Parro, has been transformed into what is now recognised as Siraj Colony.

GHAREEBUL GHURBA IMAMBARGAH,
NAYA ABAD (1830)

Behind Bishu Imambargah, in a narrow street in Naya Abad, lies the Ghareebul Ghurba Imambargah. Established in 1830 by a remarkable woman named Fatima, affectionately known as “Phappan”, a member of the Khoja Shia Asna Ashri Jamaat. This sacred site holds a rich history, deeply intertwined with the stone-crafting profession. It was originally known in the local Sindhi lexicon as Phappan Ka Pirr, a term where “pirr” signifies a revered space.

Over time, Phappan Ka Pirr evolved into its current, more formal name: Ghareebul Ghurba Imambargah. Yet, the echoes of its founder and the skilled hands that shaped its stone walls continue to resonate, reminding visitors of its humble beginnings and profound significance.

BISHU IMAMBARGAH, NAYA ABAD (1835)

Photographs by Tahir........

© Dawn (Magazines)