Women of Nizamuddin
16 images Created 31 Aug 2014
Located in Delhi, Nizamuddin Dargah is the dargah (mausoleum) of one of the world's most famous Sufi saints, Nizamuddin Auliya.
Women can pray standing outside the door to the tomb, or clinging to its walls, or sitting in the courtyard reading the Quran. Under no circumstances can they enter the chamber.
The khadims, the dargah's caretakers, say, "According to Islamic law, women are not allowed near graves."
For me, building a mausoleum that people visit is considered a Sufi tradition, and it has nothing to do with Islamic religion or laws. I have seen this Sufi tradition implemented differently in so many countries, including Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey.
During the time of the prophets, people were buried in graveyards without any ceremonial mausoleums. This tradition came many years later.
What I've seen in Nizamuddin could be considered discrimination. That's why the courtyard is usually full of women. Men usually visit quickly, entering the chamber, offering rose petals on the grave, and then either leave or pray inside the mosque.
The discrimination seems even more ironic because just across the courtyard, a few yards away from Nizamuddin's grave, lies the tomb of a very interesting woman — Jahan Ara. The eldest child of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, Princess Jahan Ara composed poetry, commissioned mosques, laid out gardens, and wrote biographies. She designed Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi's signature street.
Women can pray standing outside the door to the tomb, or clinging to its walls, or sitting in the courtyard reading the Quran. Under no circumstances can they enter the chamber.
The khadims, the dargah's caretakers, say, "According to Islamic law, women are not allowed near graves."
For me, building a mausoleum that people visit is considered a Sufi tradition, and it has nothing to do with Islamic religion or laws. I have seen this Sufi tradition implemented differently in so many countries, including Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey.
During the time of the prophets, people were buried in graveyards without any ceremonial mausoleums. This tradition came many years later.
What I've seen in Nizamuddin could be considered discrimination. That's why the courtyard is usually full of women. Men usually visit quickly, entering the chamber, offering rose petals on the grave, and then either leave or pray inside the mosque.
The discrimination seems even more ironic because just across the courtyard, a few yards away from Nizamuddin's grave, lies the tomb of a very interesting woman — Jahan Ara. The eldest child of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, Princess Jahan Ara composed poetry, commissioned mosques, laid out gardens, and wrote biographies. She designed Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi's signature street.
