The Telangana Wakf Board has allocated Rs 38 lakh for repairs and renovations at 506 Ashoorkhanas in the state ahead of the Islamic month of Moharram. This includes funds for basic amenities at Ashoorkhanas, Sabeels, and Anjumans.
Shia Muslim organizations have noted that this is the first time in recent years that the government has provided funding for Ashoorkhanas during Moharram. The Ashoorkhanas receiving funds include Alawa-e-Bibi, Ashoorkhana Khadme Rasool, Aza Khana Zehra, and others. A meeting was held with Shia scholars and Wakf Board officers to discuss arrangements for Moharram.
Wakf Board chairman Azmath Hussain mentioned that in the past, funds were sanctioned just a few days before Moharram, causing inconvenience. However, the current government and Wakf Board have released funds at least 10 days prior to the start of Moharram. Funds were deposited into registered bank accounts of Ashoorkhana caretakers, with instructions for those who did not receive the amount to visit the Board.
The Wakf Board has received requests from caretakers of more Ashoorkhanas, Sabeels, and Anjumans that were not initially registered. These requests will be inspected and considered for funding. The Shia community has expressed concerns about the decreasing government support for Moharram arrangements in Hyderabad, urging the government to allocate Rs 5 crore for the occasion. Shia organizations have previously requested increased funding to ensure proper arrangements during Moharram, given the presence of over 2,000 Ashoorkhanas.
