Hyderabad’s history of support and solidarity with Palestine

Hyderabad's commitment to Palestine spans centuries, from the 7th Nizam's support of Masjid al-Aqsa to Syed Vicaruddin's tireless advocacy. Indian influence dates back to 13th century, with Nizam's funding for restoration & creation of waqfs. MEA documents note Indian companies' tech cooperation & Vicaruddin's invitation to Arafat. Hyderabad's solidarity for Palestine is a testament to enduring bond.

As casualties rise in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, prayers and low-key protest meetings in Hyderabad, expressing solidarity with the Palestinians, have been continuing. Against this backdrop, historical evidence underscores the city’s unwavering support for Palestine, a commitment that spans from the era of the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, to more recent times when Syed Vicaruddin of the Indo-Arab League tirelessly advocated the cause.

Well-known scholar from Hyderabad, the late Omar Khalidi, pointed out that Indian influence and Indian presence in Palestine dates back to the 13th century. In the 19th century, the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, played a significant role in this connection. According to a research paper, the Nizam provided substantial funding for the restoration of Masjid al-Aqsa, one of the three holiest sites in the Islamic world, and the first qibla (direction of prayer). Additionally, he contributed greatly to the creation of waqfs (Muslim endowments) in Palestine, and supported the renovation and restoration of a hospice named Zawiyah Hindiyya. This hospice, dedicated to the revered Sufi, Baba Farid Ganj Shakar, was a testament to the enduring bond between India and Palestine.

In his paper ‘Indian Muslims and Palestinian Awqaf’, Mr. Khalidi writes that the caretaker of the hospice, Nazir Hasan Ansari, an Indian from Saharanpur, managed to raise funds it from notable personalities of the day, including Mir Osman Ali Khan. “The main building in the hospice was named as Osman Manzil after the Nizam’s name,” Mr. Khalidi writes.

Important figures of Hyderabad, too found their way there. In one case, Maj Gen Syed Ahmed el-Idroos, the commander of the Hyderabad State Forces, who surrendered to Maj Gen J. N. Chaudhuri after Operation Polo, too visited the Zawiyah. According to Mr. Khalidi, he wrote in its visitor’s book, “Shaykh Nazir [the caretaker] has converted a bit of Jerusalem to India.” The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Al Hajj Amin, made trips to Hyderabad State, and met the Ittehadul Muslimin leader Bahadur Yar Jung.

The connections with Palestine were also acknowledged by the Indian government. For instance, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) document underscores how the Masjid al Aqsa demonstrates the cultural affinity between India and Palestine. “The Nizam of Hyderabad donated chandeliers to the Al Aqsa mosque, which till date adorn the mosque. Indian Muslims contributed significant amount of money to open the Al Aqsa Mosque University,” its reads. Other sources claim that the over £7,000 were raised for this purpose, but to be repurposed on account of those tumultuous times.

While these are cultural exchanges and solidarities India had for Palestine, in more recent times, several companies entered into an understanding with Palestinian entities to extend their cooperation in the field of technology. Another MEA document, issued in August 2016, notes that at least three Indian companies, Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (a GoI enterprise), and two Hyderabad-based companies had tied up with a Gaza-based entity for software training and consultancy.

More recently, Syed Vicaruddin, a stalwart of the Muslim community in Hyderabad, and the Editor of one of the oldest newspapers of the city, Rahnuma-e-Deccan, continues to be regarded as an embodiment of Indo-Palestinian solidarity.