Indo Islamic Heritage

Dawat-E-Tableegh Markaz Khirni Wali Masjid

Nestled in the historic city of Bareilly, Khirni Wali Masjid serves as a vital Dawat-e-Tableegh Markaz, embodying the Tablighi Jamaat's mission of spiritual renewal and proselytization. This modest yet spiritually resonant mosque in Azam Nagar draws devotees for its weekly gatherings and emphasis on Islamic piety, standing as a quiet beacon of faith amid Uttar Pradesh's rich tapestry of Islamic heritage.

In the heart of Bareilly—a city long revered as a cradle of Islamic scholarship and Sufi traditions since the 16th century under Mughal patronage—stands Khirni Wali Masjid, a understated yet profoundly influential landmark of modern Islamic revivalism. As the designated Markaz (center) for Dawat-e-Tableegh, this mosque in Azam Nagar exemplifies the Tablighi Jamaat's global ethos of grassroots dawah (invitation to faith), fostering a space where believers converge not for grandeur, but for collective introspection and propagation of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) teachings. The mosque's architecture reflects the simplicity inherent to Tablighi principles: unadorned brick walls and a functional prayer hall designed to accommodate large ijtema (gatherings), with minimal ornamentation that prioritizes humility over opulence. Unlike the ornate minarets and domes of Bareilly's more ancient shrines, such as the 19th-century Dargah-e-Aala Hazrat, Khirni Wali Masjid prioritizes utility—its open courtyards and adjacent facilities support extended stays for traveling jamaats (groups), echoing the nomadic spirit of early Islamic missions. This design philosophy stems directly from the Tablighi Jamaat's founding in 1927 by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi in Mewat, near Delhi, where mosques were repurposed as hubs for voluntary spiritual outreach rather than static monuments. Established as a key regional markaz during the movement's northward expansion in the mid-20th century—likely in the 1940s or 1950s, contemporaneous with India's partition and the subsequent resurgence of communal faith practices—Khirni Wali Masjid quickly became a nexus for local Muslims seeking islah (self-reformation). Bareilly's selection as a focal point was no coincidence; the city's deep-rooted Sunni scholarly legacy, including institutions tied to the Barelvi school of thought, provided fertile ground for Tablighi activities. Here, weekly Shab-e-Jumma (Friday night) programs unfold, where participants engage in the movement's Six Principles: affirmation of faith (Kalimah), ritual prayer (Salah), knowledge and remembrance (Ilm-o-Zikr), respect for fellow Muslims (Ikraam-e-Muslim), purity of intention (Ikhlas-e-Niyyat), and active invitation to Islam (Dawat-o-Tableegh). These sessions, often attended by hundreds from surrounding villages, transform the mosque into a living archive of oral Islamic tradition, with elders recounting hadith and personal testimonies of spiritual journeys. Historically, the mosque's role intensified in the post-independence era, as Tablighi Jamaat grew to counter secular influences and internal schisms within Indian Muslim communities. By the 1970s, under the guidance of figures like Maulana Inamul Hasan, Bareilly's markaz facilitated outbound jamaats to distant regions, including international ijtemas in Pakistan's Raiwind and Bangladesh's Hathazari. Today, it remains a cornerstone of this apolitical, non-sectarian effort, hosting short-term chillas (40-day retreats) that emphasize detachment from worldly affairs. Devotees arrive by foot, cycle, or train to the nearby Bareilly Junction, drawn by the mosque's reputation for fostering genuine brotherhood—free from hierarchical clergy, where every participant is both teacher and student. Khirni Wali Masjid's enduring significance lies in its quiet defiance of ostentation, mirroring the Prophet's (PBUH) sunnah of modesty in worship. In an age of digital distractions, it stands as a testament to sustained, face-to-face dawah, ensuring Bareilly's Islamic heritage evolves through lived piety rather than preserved stone. For pilgrims tracing Uttar Pradesh's sacred circuits—from Lucknow's Bara Imambara to Agra's Jama Masjid—this markaz offers a contemporary chapter, where history meets the timeless call to faith.

Year of Built: Not Available

Address: 9C69+PX8, Azam Nagar, Gangapur, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh 243005

Country: India

State: Uttar Pradesh

District: Bareilly

Pincode: 243005

Longitude: 79.41999° E

Latitude: 28.36223° N