Lucknow :
One-of-its-kind silver ‘zarih’ is being made in Lucknow to commemorate the ‘wiladat’ (birth anniversary) of Bibi Sakina, great grand daughter of Prophet Muhammad and daughter of Imam Hussain, the martyr of Karbala, celebrated on 19 Rajab, falling this year on May 9. Zarih is lattice work, often gilded, that encloses an Islamic tomb. Handcrafted by 10 skilled artisans for past six months, it is replica of the original zarih in Syria.
The estimated cost of the lattice made of 25kg pure silver is Rs 15 lakh, an amount collected from donation at Hazrat Abbas dargah. It is 3 feet wide, 4.5 long and 3.5 feet high and has Quran verses and story of Bibi Sakina’s pilgrimage carved on it in Arabic.
Once construction work is complete the existing zarih made of plain iron will be replaced with the silver one to enclose the holy shrine of Bibi Sakina situated on the premises of Dargah Hazrat Abbas in Rustam Nagar.
One of the most revered shrines in Lucknow built in 1819 this Dargah is perhaps the oldest shrine of the Shia Muslims in the city, popular among non-Muslims too.
Speaking to TOI, member Hazrat Abbas Dargah committee Arif Hasan said, “Donation was received from members of all communities.”
Artisan Nisar Hussain said, “Though original zarih in Syria is placed on a stone we will be installing the zari on a wooden platform.”
Plan is to make a 100gram gold crown embellished with multicolored semi-precious stones to be placed next to the zarih.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Uzma Talha, TNN / May 01st, 2015