Srinagar: Thousands of Shia mourners on Wednesday took out an Ashura procession in the city here to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussain on the 10th of Muharram.
The procession started from Bota Kadal in the Lal Bazar area of the city and culminated at Zadibal Imambara, officials said.
The chest-beating and wailing mourners passed through the city roads, eulogising Hussain’s sacrifice in the fight between good and evil.
Authorities had made adequate arrangements for ensuring incident-free observance of the Muharram procession, officials said.
Security forces were deployed all along the route while police and volunteers had set up stalls to distribute water among the mourners, they said.
The officials said doctors and paramedical staff were also deployed along the route to attend to any emergency.
For the second consecutive year, the authorities had allowed the eighth-day procession from Guru Bazar to Dalgate on Monday.
Sources said that more than 50, 000 mourners took part in the procession and were joined by a number of Sunni youth at several places.
The Ashura procession was also taken out from Imambara Mirgund in Central Kashmir which concluded at the historic Imambara of Budgam.
Reports said that thousands of the Shia mourners, reciting Nowha and Marthiya in praise and remembrance of the martyrs of Karbala, participated in the procession.
Similar processions were taken out in other areas of Kashmir Valley, reports said.
Another Zuljana procession was taken out from Saidakadal to the Imambara Hassanabad area in the old city, with thousands of mourners draped in black dresses; reciting elegies to Imam Hussain (AS).
Similar processions were taken out in other area of Kashmir including Dangerpora Bandipora, Delina Baramulla, Shadipora Sopore, Mirgund Pattan, Sopore Hygam, Ahmadpora Pattan, Gund Pattan, Gund, Devsar Kulgam, Khawaja Qasim, Tral, Sofipora Pahalgam, Hanjiveera, Balhama, Panear, Chattergul, Achabal, Dangerpora and Sonawari.
Reports said that Zuljana processions were taken out from Gazi Manzil to Imambara Yousufabad, Magam, Iskinderpora Beerwah and Sonpah areas in central Budgam district.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi said that elaborate security arrangements were put in place on the way from Botakadal to Imambara Zadibal to ensure the mourners do not experience any trouble.
In order to ensure the mourners who marched in a procession from Gulshanabad to Zadibal did not experience any trouble, additional personnel were deployed in lanes, by-lanes, and roadways, the IGP said while distributing water to mourners at Zadibal, adding, that police had also issued a traffic advisory to ensure that those intending to join the procession don’t face any inconvenience.
Authorities had made elaborate security arrangements in Srinagar with additional deployment of police and paramilitary forces on roads to ensure the day passes off peacefully.
1500 blood pints collected at 9 camps at Zadibal
On Youm-e-Ashoora, nearly 1500 blood pints were donated in Srinagar’s Zadibal area, marking a significant contribution to the region’s healthcare efforts.
The blood donation camps, which were organized by different organizations and NGOs from 8 AM to 5 PM, saw a massive turnout with about nine camps set up across the area.
According to the details gathered by the news agency KNO, each camp reported substantial contributions, with a single camp recording up to 198 blood pints donated.
“This large-scale donation drive was not only a testament to the spirit of getting associated with Youm-e-Ashura but also a powerful display of communal harmony,” said Jasim Muzaffar, in charge of Ali Asgar Blood Bank.
Also, in an inspiring show of unity, both Sunni and Shia Muslims participated in the blood donation, emphasizing the shared values and mutual support within the community.
“This act of solidarity underscored the essence of Ashoora, commemorating the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions, while also contributing to a cause that saves lives,” added Jasim.
