MUSLIMS across India observed Muharram on Friday (November 15) by taking out taziya processions, flagellating themselves and offering special prayers.
Slogans of ‘Ya Hussein’ rent the air as Shias took part in the ceremonial mourning commemorating the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson Imam Hussein with flags and replicas of Hussein’s tomb in their hands.
Sunnis offered prayers, observed fasts and distributed alms on the occasion.
Several taziya processions were taken out in the national capital and in its satellite towns. Most of the processions culminated at Karbala in Jor Bagh in south Delhi.
On this day, Muslims remember Hussein who died fighting the forces of caliph Yazid around 1,400 years ago at Karbala in Iraq.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Muharram processions were taken out from various parts amid tight security.
In Srinagar, the procession started from Lal Bazaar area of the city and reached Zadibal Imambargah, officials said.
Authorities had imposed restrictions in six police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure
apprehending law and orders problems.
Processions were also taken out at Budgam, Harwan, Panthachowk, Ganderbal and other areas having sizeable Shia population.
In Leh, mourners braved the cold wave to take part in processions.
Hundreds of Muslims assembled in the morning at the starting point of the procession, Masjid Sharif. The procession passed through the main markets of Leh and culminated at Imam Badha.
