Did you send your application to god?

What were you doing last Friday night? Writing an ariza?application to the Almighty?and dropping it into the Gomti? If you did then, you must have accompanied thousands of Shias and spent the night on a special bajra (boat) decorated with flowers and lights floating across the Gomti.

What were you doing last Friday night? Writing an ariza—application to the Almighty—and dropping it into the Gomti?

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If you did then, you must have accompanied thousands of Shias and spent the night on a special bajra (boat) decorated with flowers and lights floating across the Gomti.

From Mehndhi Ghat to Abbas Ghat, as tradition goes, this year too, the Anjuman-e-Zahoor-e-Imamat, organised the journey of the bajra across the Gomti on the 14th Shabaan of the Islamic calendar. As the clock announced midnight, the bajra was rowed along slowly and gracefully all the way to the Pucca Pul where it slowed to a stop at 5 am. For the last six years, the bajra is flagged off by Shia cleric Maulana Yasoob Abbas, son of -renowned cleric Maulana Mirza Mohd. Athar Sahib, president of the All-India Shia Personal Law Board.

The beautifully decked-up bajra is almost a divine spectacle and the ambience is full of joy and happiness. Thousands of Shias—devout men, burqa-clad women and children assemble on the banks of the Gomti to catch a glimpse of the bajra.

They pray to God the entire night for the welfare of society and organise nazar (offering) of sweets. These sweets include mainly chane and suji ka halwa that is prepared at home to celebrate the auspicious and happy occasion of the birth anniversary of the 12th Imam who is the Imam-e-Zamana, according to the Shias. On the occasion, the display of fireworks and atmosphere of fun and celebrations along with a prayerful attitude is almost like a Diwali for the Shias.

The Shias believe that Imam-e-Zamana—the living Imam—will descend upon earth one day for the uplift of mankind when society is “overflowing with sins”.

So, if you missed writing to your ‘spiritual’ Imam this Friday, don’t forget to be there next year.