Over one lakh mourners converge at Srinagar’s old city on Ashoora eve

Srinagar: To remember the sacrifices of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in Karbala, the Ashoora–10th day of holy month—Muharram— was on Saturday observed across Jammu & Kashmir with religious fervour while the Shia Muslims carried out processions in Srinagar, Budgam and other districts that culminated peacefully.
On 10th of Muharram, Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) along with 72 other family members and companions were martyred in the battle of Karbala in Iraq. Their martyrdom is observed across the globe with Shia mourners carrying out huge processions amid thumping of chests and recitation of praises for Imam Hussain (AS).
Reports said all the roads leading to the main procession that was carried out from Bota Kadal Lal Bazar to Zadibal here were closed by the authorities for vehicular movement to ensure that the procession passes off peacefully.
A top official told reporters that over one lakh people participated in the Muharram procession in Srinagar.
During the procession since the morning, the Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), political parties and other civil society members as well as Police and civil administration had installed stalls to provide refreshments to the mourners throughout the day at Zadibal. The Zadibal area remained flooded with the mourners as well as the Shia Muslims on the eve of Ashoora. On the occasion, most of the Shia mourners were seen participating without shoes in the procession.
Most of the mourners told reporters that they are remembering the sacrifices of Karbala martyrs and by walking without shoes on the roads, they recall the situation which the martyrs faced while fighting the adversary amid scorching heat in Karbala.
Moreover, the deployment of police and CRPF was also made at procession bound areas in Srinagar and elsewhere to ensure that the procession culminates peacefully. A huge Muharram procession was also taken out at Bemina.
Similarly, Muharram processions were also carried out in Budgam district, in Pattan and Delina areas of Baramulla district, Wularhama Pahalgam, Sopore, Halkha, Chaturgund in South Kashmir in which thousands of mourners took part and paid tributes to Karbala martyrs.
Moreover, the Sunni Muslims also organized Ijtimas on the occasion in local Masjids here, during which the religious clerics delivered speeches and threw light on the events that happened in Karbala.
Meanwhile, the Shia mourners at Saidpura area in Sopore town also took out a procession along with copies of the Quran with them to express their love and send out a message against the burning of the holy book in Sweden.
Er Fida Hussain, who was at Saidpura to participate in the Muharram procession condemned the unholy act (burning of Quran in Swedan), saying the Quran teaches tolerance and brotherhood. Similarly, many mourners said they were carrying the Quran along with them in the procession to send out a message and condemn the burning of the Quran.
Talking to reporters at Bota Kadal area of Srinagar, ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar Kumar said that foolproof security cover is in place for the smooth conduct of the Ashoora in which Shia mourners are taking out a Zuljinah procession from Bota Kadal area to Imambara Zadibal. “Officers were deployed on ground from midnight to ensure deployment as per the plan,” he said, adding that “allowing the historic procession after a long gap reflects changing Kashmir.”
He said police provided security cover for such events but “ultimate credit goes to the people.” “Without peoples’ cooperation nothing is possible,” the ADGP said.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bhiduri thanked the people for cooperation stating that administration had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Ashoora processions across Kashmir
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Muhammad Aijaz Asad said that the administration stands with the Shia community on the eve of Youm-e-Ashoora, the day Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) was martyred in Karbala. “Today, the need of the hour is to spread the message of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS),” he said. Pertinently, the administration allowed the grand Ashoora procession from Bota Kadal to Imambara Zadibal on the occasion of Ashoora. Earlier, on 8th Muharram, the administration had allowed the procession from Guru Bazar to M A Road to Dalgate, for the first time in 34 years. Shia leaders and mourners had thanked the LG Manoj Sinha led administration for the historic decision.