Iranians in Bahrain - Matam Al-Ajam Al-Kabeer

Matam Al-Ajam Al-Kabeer

Matam Al-Ajam Al-Kabeer (Arabic:مأتم العجم الكبير) is the first Ajami Matam in Bahrain. The matam was co-founded by Mirza Hassan Hussain Shirazi and the Zalu brothers. Construction started in 1882 as a specialized building where Ashura, a holy day in Shia Islam, would be marked with processions, ceremonial flagellation and passion plays commemorating the death of Imam Hussain. The matam is still used for this purpose.

It was originally built with simple construction material such as palm tree trunks and leaf stalks. The matam was formally established in 1904 where it was decided that the matam would be renovated with rocks, clay and cement. Initially in the 1890s, the matam was primarily supported by Persian merchants, with two-thirds of the donation coming from the Bushehri and Safar family, respectively. For much of the 20th century, the matam had relied on yearly donations of money and land from rich and poor members of the Persian community and from waqf revenue. The matam also had an emergency relief fund that was to be distributed to the poor and to needy individuals; the matam provided financial aid and shelter to people following the collapse of the pearling market in the 1930s.

Members of the Muniri branch of the Bushehri family headed the matam from 1927 to 1967.