Medina: The 8th of Shawwal marks a deeply mourned day in Islamic history — the demolition of Jannatul Baqi, the historic cemetery in Medina. On this day in 1925, the ruling Saudi regime, influenced by the Wahhabi ideology, ordered the destruction of the centuries-old tombs and mausoleums in the sacred graveyard.
Jannatul Baqi, located adjacent to Masjid al-Nabawi, is believed to be the final resting place of many revered personalities of Islam, including the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) family members, wives, companions, and prominent figures from the early Muslim community. Among those buried are khatoon e Janet Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (AS), Imam Hasan e Mujtaba ibn Ali (AS), Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (AS), Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (AS), and Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS), peace be upon them all.
The 1925 demolition was carried out under the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, which considers the construction of shrines or monuments on graves as a form of innovation (bid’ah) and contrary to Islamic monotheism. As a result, not only Jannatul Baqi but also Jannat al-Mu’alla in Makkah — the burial site of Bibi Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (SA), the Prophet’s first wife — was similarly targeted.
The act sparked outrage and sorrow across the Muslim world, particularly among Shia communities, who regard the preservation of such sacred sites as part of Islamic heritage and a means of spiritual connection to the Prophet’s family.
Every year, Muslims around the world commemorate 8 Shawwal with gatherings, protests, and calls for the reconstruction of Jannatul Baqi. Human rights and heritage preservation advocates also condemn the ongoing restrictions placed on visiting or marking the site.
Despite decades of appeals and international concern, the site remains in its demolished state, marked only by plain headstones under heavy surveillance. The destruction of Jannatul Baqi remains a painful wound for many in the Muslim world and a significant point of contention in discussions about religious freedom, cultural heritage, and sectarian tolerance in the region.
Agha Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi and TNFJ’s Role in Protesting the Demolition of Jannatul Baqi.
Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya (TNFJ), under the leadership of Agha Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi, has played a pivotal role in raising global awareness and organizing peaceful protests against the demolition of Jannatul Baqi. For decades, TNFJ has marked 8th Shawwal — the day Jannatul Baqi was razed in 1925 — as a “Youm-e-Inhedam Jannatul Baqi” (Day of Destruction of Jannatul Baqi), calling on Muslims worldwide to observe it as a Day of Grief.
TNFJ organizes peaceful rallies, processions, and public gatherings across Pakistan and other countries every year on 8 Shawwal to condemn the demolition and call for the reconstruction of the sacred cemetery. Agha Moosavi and TNFJ have consistently appealed to international human rights bodies, the United Nations, UNESCO, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), urging them to take action against the destruction of Islamic heritage sites and to press Saudi authorities for the restoration of Jannatul Baqi. TNFJ remains one of the most active voices globally in advocating for the dignity and restoration of Jannatul Baqi.