(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
Ashura procession in Srinagar| KO Photo By Abid Bhat
Srinagar- Youm-e-Ashura was observed on Tuesday with reverence and religious fervour throughout Jammu & Kashmir to pay tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions for their supreme sacrifices.
Every year, this day is observed on 10th of Muharram to commemorate the supreme sacrifice rendered by Imam Hussain and his 72 companions at Karbala to uphold the truth.
Alam and Zuljanah processions were taken out in all districts across Kashmir.
The main Zuljanah procession in Srinagar which used to be taken out from Abi Guzar upto Zadibal before the outbreak of militancy remains banned eversince.
Biggest Ashura procession this year was taken out in downtown Srinagar in which thousands of mourners took part. The procession started from Gulshan Bagh, Madin Sahab and passed through different localities before culminating at the shrine of Mir Shams-uddin Araki in Zadibal interiors in the evening.
Mourners were seen carrying banners and chanting slogans in praise of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions who sacrificed their lives at Karbala, some 1,400 years ago after refusing to give oath of allegiance to tyrant Umayyad ruler, Yazid.
Several volunteer groups had set up camps along the route of procession where hot and cold beverages were being served to mourners.
Besides, the Sunni Muslims also organized Ijtimas on the occasion in local Masjids here, during which the clerics threw light on the teachings of Imam Husain (AS) and also narrated the events of Karbala.
However, except near Abi Guzar locality, no restrictions were imposed anywhere in Srinagar today.
Senior officers of administration and police, including the Additional Director General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar along with SSP Srinagar Rakesh Balwal also participated in the procession in Zadibal.
“ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar along with SSP Srinagar & other officers participated in the 10th Muharram procession marking the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) & also held the Shabih e Zuljanah of Imam Hussain (AS) today in Zadibal Srinagar,” police said in a tweet.
Former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice-President Omar Abdullah also visited Zadibal.
“Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and @JKNC_ Vice President @OmarAbdullah along with party Chief Spokesperson @tanvirsadiq distributes food items among the Shia mourners during the Ashura (10th Muharram) procession, at Zadibal in Srinagar,” NC posted on its official Twitter handle.
In Valley, the Shia Muslims used to take out processions from several parts of uptown Srinagar on 8th and 10th Muharram that would culminate at Dalgate and the historic Zadibal Imambargah. However, after the onset of militancy, these two processions were banned in 1989 by the then Governor Jagmohan. Only small mourning rallies and processions are allowed in a few areas with sizable Shia populations since.
Authorities maintain that the ban on traditional processions has been taken in the larger public interest and to foil attempts of numerous groups“to hijack the processions to advance their objectives”
Meanwhile, after Zadibal in Srinagar, the second major procession was taken out at Imambara of Mirgund and after passing through various lanes and by-lanes, it ended at the historic Imambargah of Budgam in central Kashmir.
A large procession was also taken from Babapora Magam which culminated at Ahmadpora in the Budgam.
Reports of Zuljinnah and Alam processions were also received from all districts of the valley including Dab Wakora (Ganderbal), Pattan, Qazipora in Baramulla district, Gongwa, Wakharwan, Chhatergul, Sallar and Devsar in South Kashmir.
Reports of Ashura processions were also received from Jammu including Pir Mitha Imam Bada and after passing through Lakhadata Bazar, Kanak Mandi, Rajinder Bazar and Shaheedi Chowk.
Ashura processions were also taken out in Ladakh's remote Turtuk, Partappora and Chushut. The biggest Ashura procession was reported from Kargil town where thousands of mourners participated in the procession.
Thousands assembled in Imambargah of Poyeen and took out a procession which moved through the main market of Kargil town with one ending at Islamia school Kargil and another at Youth Park Kargil.
Restrictions Imposed In Parts Of Budgam
Authorities in Budgam district in central Kashmir on Tuesday imposed restrictions in some areas to maintain law and order as members of the Shia community observed the tenth day of Muharram, officials said.
The officials said restrictions on the movement and assembly of people were imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order on the occasion of Ashura, the tenth day of mourning in the Islamic month of Muharram.
The officials said there were no restrictions on the movement of the people anywhere else in the valley, including in Srinagar city except in Abi Guzar area near Lal Chowk. Traditional Ashura procession used to commence from Abi Guzar and culminate at Zadibal. It remains banned since 1989.
Government forces personnel were deployed in strength to prevent any untoward incident. However no one made any bid to take out procession from Abi Guzar on Tuesday.
The city had witnessed curfew-like restrictions in several areas on Sunday. However Shia youth made repeated attempts to defy the curbs and take out the traditional 8th Muharram procession from Guru Bazar to Dalgate banned 30 years back.
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