Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad Naqvi
Prominent Shia Cleric and Social Reformer
Advocate for Azadari & Waqf Rights
Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad Naqvi is a highly respected Shia Muslim cleric from Lucknow, India, renowned for his scholarship, community leadership, and unwavering commitment to religious and social causes. He belongs to the esteemed Khandan-e-Ijtehad, a distinguished family of Islamic scholars tracing their lineage to Ayatollah Dildar Ali Naseerabadi (Ghufran Ma’ab). He is the son of Maulana Kalbe Abid and the nephew of the eminent reformer and educationist, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq.
Key Positions Held:
- Imam-e-Juma, Shahi Asafi Mosque, Lucknow
- Senior Member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board
- Patron & Chairman, Shia Orphanage Committee, Gulistan-e-Abutalib (a.s.), Lucknow
- National President, Rashtriya Shia Sufi Sangh
- General Secretary, Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Hind
- Founder, Tanzeem-e-Pasdaran-e-Husain (a.s.)
- Founder, Noore Hidayat Foundation
Leadership in the Azadari Movement:
Since the 1980s, Maulana Kalbe Jawad has led the movement to restore traditional Muharram processions in Lucknow. His leadership during the 1997 protests, which included arrests and legal challenges, played a vital role in securing a tripartite agreement that reinstated key Azadari processions.
Waqf Reforms and Advocacy:
As a reformer, he has led the Tehreek-e-Awqaf (Waqf Movement) demanding accountability in waqf affairs and a CBI inquiry into corruption in the UP Shia Central Waqf Board. His efforts have led to significant developments both in Lucknow and Delhi.
Mass Mobilizations and International Advocacy:
Maulana Jawad has mobilized massive rallies, including one in Lucknow with over a million participants, addressing issues such as international injustices and sectarian extremism. He vocally condemned the execution of Saudi cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and continues to speak out on global Shia concerns.
Contemporary Engagement:
In recent years, he has engaged constructively with political leadership, including expressing confidence in leaders like Yogi Adityanath to support the upliftment of Shias in Uttar Pradesh. His voice remains influential on issues of minority rights, communal harmony, and national unity.