40 years since they first did araz for Ashara Mubaraka in Hazrat of Al-Dai Al-Ajal Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, mumineen of the UK – London finally saw their unwavering resolve rewarded with Huzurala TUS declaring UK – London as the venue for Ashara Mubaraka 1444H. This would mark the first time Ashara Mubaraka would be held not only in UK, but in the European continent.
Pre-Fasal Mubarak Planning:
Before Ashara Mubaraka had been announced, Mawaid khidmat guzaar in coordination with FMB Office – Badri Mahal and MYA Consulting (UK based event management company) had extensively planned for construction and layouts of Mawaid and kitchen, HR management, Mawaid flow management of mumineen and other essentials, requirements for food and equipment etc.
London had estimated a hosting capacity of around 15,000 mumineen. In line with that figure, Mawaid had to cater maximum 2000 thaal for each lunch and dinner. This was to be done in 3 venues. One main venue to cater for 1000 thaal in one thok, second smaller venue for 200 thaal for rahat block and third venue for Qasr-e-Aali Sahebo for 150 thaal. While sites for the main venue and rahat block were constructed, Qasr-e-Aali Mawaid was arranged in Masjid Mawaid Hall. Behind the main Mawaid kitchen construction was planned in close proximity, equipped to cook food for upto 2500 thaal for main and rahat Mawaid, while jaman for Qasr-e-Aali Mawaid would be prepared in the jamaat kitchen.
Pre-Ashara Mubaraka Planning and Management:
To familiarize with food and safety rules and regulations of UK a team consisting of mumineen with Mawaid expertise left for UK immediately after Fasal Mubarak along with 27 cooks from India.
The Mawaid was bifurcated into 14 galas and 2 galas Rahat Mawaid. As UK was hosting Ashara Mubaraka Sadaat Kiraam DM instructed that mumineen of UK should take charge of Mawaid serving with International Mawaid teams in their support.
Ashara Mubaraka 1444H – Jamali Mawaid Operations:
As a venue for Waaz Mubarak Jamali Mawaid had a maximum capacity of 10,000 mumineen. Each gala had an approximate capacity of 55 to 60 thaals. An average of 1800 thaals were served at lunch and 700 thaals were served at dinner. This also included Amatullah Relay Center where after 6th Moharram al-Haraam 250 thaal were served on average in lunch.
1664 thaal were served on 8th Moharram al-Haraam including rahat Mawaid, and 178 thaal were served in Qasr-e-Aali Mawaid. 280 thaal were also served in Amatullah Relay Center.
Due to Magrib being fairly late during Ashara Mubaraka, dinner was served at around 7:15 pm before night majlis.
Mumineen who did not wish to attend the night majlis in Masjid or Mawaid complex, were provided with tosha at Sabeel-e-Anwar counters. Similarly, mumineen could take barakat of shehad pani, dates, ice cream and flavored milk from Sabeel-e-Anwar counters.
Huzurala TUS Program:
It has been tradition since past few years, that Huzurala TUS bestows the Mawaid venue a name. The names graciously bestowed by Huzurala TUS graciously for this year’s venue were,
“Jamali Mawaid” and “Jamali Kitchen.”
On 26th Zilhajja-til-Haraam, before Urs Mubarak Majlis of Al-Dai Al-Ajal Syedna Abdulhusain Husamuddin RA and Al-Dai Al-Ajal Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, Huzurala TUS performed Iftetah of Jamali Kitchen and Jamali Mawaid. For around 15 minutes Huzurala TUS presided over the visit in which Moula TUS proceeded to keenly observe each and every area of kitchen with its facilities and equipment. Afterwards Huzurala TUS proceeded towards Jamali Mawaid to preside over Magrib Isha Namaaz and Urs Mubarak Majlis.
On Pehli Raat of Moharram al-Haraam 1444, Mawaid khidmat guzaar received sharaf of presenting Pehli Raat thaal to Huzurala TUS at Husaini Masjid Sehen. Umoor Faizul Mawaidil Burhaniyah khidmat guzaar worldwide also received Ziyafat Sharaf.
Daily after Waaz Mubarak, Huzurala TUS would grace mumineen seated in Mawaid with Deedar Sharaf. Khidmat guzaar would also receive sharaf of presenting thaal to Huzurala TUS.
On 8th Moharram al-Haraam, Huzurala TUS graced each gala with Nazar Mubarak. Sixteen Thaal in total were presented for each gala.
On the eve of Ashura, Huzurala TUS gave deedar sharaf to mumineen seated in Mawaid before Magrib Isha Namaaz.
Salient Practices in Jamali Kitchen and Jamali Mawaid during Ashara Mubaraka:
- In order to help Mawaid khidmat guzaar abide by local laws, a food consulting company was hired, to keep khidmat guzaar aware of local laws each step of the way. The consultants assisted khidmat guzaar in,
- Maintaining food temperatures,
- Preserving high hygiene standards,
- Adopting best practices in preserving leftover food,
- Management of overall kitchen operations,
- The goal was to make Ashara Mubaraka environment friendly. In line with above goal, customized trolleys were made as means of supply instead of delivery vans. These trolleys which would fit into each stove. At the time of serving, the deg could be pulled by the trolley from the stove without having to lift it.
- All cooking was completed shortly before the jaman time, and was delivered just before the serving started.
- Ashara Mubaraka 1444H was a zero waste event. All material used in Mawaid was either compostable or recyclable.
- Mumineen were continuously encouraged to segregate the waste for proper disposing.
The success of Jamali Mawaid was due to relentless efforts of all local and international khidmat guzaar.
These intricate and large scale operations were carried out by a total of 1239 khidmat guzaars,
May Allah grant Al-Dai Al-Ajal Syedna Aaliqadr Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS a long healthy and prosperous life the Day of Qayamat. ‘Ameen’
