Maqbool Hussain Zaidi

Who was Maqbool Hussain Zaidi?

Lieutenant Colonel Maqbool Hussain Zaidi was the founder of Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain in Rawalpindi. He was born in Delhi, India during colonial rule. Zaidi joined All India Radio but later quit to join the British Army. On the inception of Pakistan, he migrated to Rawalpindi and joined the Pakistan Army. In Rawalpindi, he founded an Imambargah and became a popular figure in Rawalpindi in general and the Shiite community in particular. He promoted the tradition of religious processions marking the martyrdom of Imams. To this day the major procession in Rawalpindi departs from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain on Ashura and Chehlum. Zaidi believed that the only way keep religion separated from politics was to avoid taking donations and contributions from institutions or bodies other than private individuals for organisations such as the one he founded. To this day, Imambara Colonel Maqbool Hussain is managed in the same tradition.

Zaidi was commissioned in the 2nd Battalion 15 Punjab Regiment and saw active service during World War II on the Burma Front. A lawyer by education, he pursued a very successful law career after retirement from the army in 1962.