ABSTRACT
Muslims account for approximately 30 per cent of the fivemillion inhabitants in the South Indian city of Hyderabad.Of this population, the Shia community is estimated to be nearly 10 per cent of the Muslim population or somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 people (Howarth 2001).1 The majority of the community lives in the Old City quarter which, although rich in tradition and culture, remains an economically disadvantaged area. Like Old City Muslims in general, the majority of Hyderabad Shia families live in lower economic conditions, although overseas employment in the Gulf and other circumstances have brought a measure of wealth to some portions of the community.2 The most common occupation among women of this community tends to be full-time caring for family and home.
