Hyderabad: Five alams from the Ashoorkhana Mahbub Mansion at Malakpet were stolen on Sunday night. The alams were kept under lock and key in the Ashoorkhana.
Mutawalli Rafat Ali, along with his family had gone out for the weekend and returned on Sunday night at 8.45 pm.
His daughter Hussain Fatema said, “When we returned, my father went to check the rooms. He found that there were only two alams on the wall, the other five were missing.” The family immediately alerted the police.
The Chaderghat police has registered a case. The black alams had panjas (impressions of a hand, made of silver) on it. Meanwhile, members of the community raised a hue and cry about the theft.
Senior inspector P. Sattaiah said, “At presently there is a dispute between people who are in charge of the masjid and those in charge of ashoorkhana. Both buildings are in the same premises, adjacent to each other. As they belong to two different sects of the same religion there are often arguments between them.”
Cops see mischief in theft
The police suspect “mischief” by some elements to create tension in the area. According to a police officer, “The manner in which the lock was broken gives a different indication. We are trying to understand the reason and motive behind this act. Also, the silver panja is auspicious for followers but a thief will not get ‘big money’ out of it. We are looking into all these angles.”
History of Theft of Alams in Hyderabad:
In 1998, a minar was stolen from Dar-us-Shifa where the alams are kept for Muharram.
In April 2003, Bibi-ka-Alam and hundi (filled with cash) were stolen from Dar-us-Shifa.
Historical significance of Alam
It is a flag or a sign carried during the procession of Muharram. It is usually black. During celebrations, it is green.
An alam with a ‘panja’ is considered significant as it was carried by Prophet Muhammad during battles or expeditions.
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