Tazia processions mark Muharram

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 12

The Shia Muslims took out a “Tazia” procession to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Mohammad in the battle of Karbala on the occasion of Muharram, here on Wednesday. The Tazia procession started from Imambara on the East Canal Road and passed through the Survey Chowk, Tibetan Market, Darshan Lal Chowk, Tehsil Chowk and finally culminated at the Imambara, Naya Nagar, on the Gandhi Road.

Tight security arrangements were made by the police on the the entire route of the procession. The traffic was diverted as the procession passed through various parts of the city. Little girls and women dressed in black sang “marsiyas” ( elegiac poems) tearfully, remembering the sacrifices of Imam Hussain in the procession, which was headed by the people carrying black flags. Many young boys hit themselves with chains and cut themselves with blades and swords. They bled to mourn the day. The procession was organised by Anjuman Mominin. Muharram is a day of bereavement, when Muslims give to charity, observe fasts and pray in the remembrance of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed who was martyred 1,330 years ago at Karbala in Iraq. The day is also known as ‘’Yaum-e-Ashura,’’ day of enlightenment, on the 10th day of Moharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.