‘Youm-e-Ashura’ observed with religious fervour

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 1

‘Youm-e-Ashura’ was observed with religious fervour today as ‘Zuljinah’ processions were taken out in old Srinagar city and other Shia-dominated areas of the Kashmir valley.

Even as the ban on the main Muharram procession continued, a large ‘Zuljinah’ procession was taken out from Hawal to Zadibal in the city to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, his family and companions during the 7th century battle of Karbala, which falls in present-day Iraq.

Attempts of a few mourners to take out a procession from the Abiguzar area were foiled by the police.

The Shias used to take out a grand procession from Abiguzar to Zadibal on Muharram 10 (Youm-e-Ashura) but it was banned after the eruption of militancy more than two and a half decades ago.

A few protesters were detained at Lal Chowk during attempts to take out a procession from Abiguzar.

The government had imposed restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC in jurisdictions of 13 police stations of the summer capital.

The ‘Zuljinah’ processions, however, were taken out in other Shia-dominated areas of the Valley.

While the ‘Zuljinah’ procession is taken out only on ‘Ashura’, the ‘Alam’ and ‘Tazia’ processions are taken out regularly from the first day of Muharram, which also marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year.

Shias hold a series of religious functions and also take out processions especially during the first 10 days of Muharram.

‘Pairwan-e-Willayat’ patron Maulana Sibti Mohammad Shabir Qumi said Ashura was observed with traditional and religious fervour across the Valley. He, however, criticised the government for imposing restrictions and continuing ban on the grand Muharram procession.

Curbs imposed 

• To stop Shias from taking out a huge procession, the government had imposed restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC in jurisdictions of 13 police stations of the summer capital
• A large 'Zuljinah' procession was taken out from Hawal to Zadibal  Sunday to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, his family and companions during the 7th century battle of Karbala, which falls in present-day Iraq.