Ashura to be observed across Valley today

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 23

‘Youm-e-Ashura’ will be observed tomorrow with taking out ‘Zuljinah’ processions and holding of other religious functions across the Kashmir valley. Even as the government has been disallowing the main Muharram procession on ‘Ashura’ after the eruption of militancy in the state, other ‘Zuljinah’ processions are scheduled at Zadibal here and other districts of the Valley.

On the significance of the Ashura procession taken out on the 10th day of the Muharram month, Maulana Sibti Mohammad Shabir Qumi, head of Pairwan-e-Willayat, said: “The procession is taken out to mourn the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain and companions in Karbala. ‘Zuljinah’ was the name of the horse of Imam Hussain and that is why a decorated horse remains a part of the procession taken out by the mourners.”

While a ‘Zuljinah’ procession is taken out on ‘Ashura’ only, ‘Alam’ and ‘Tazia’ processions are taken out regularly from the first day of Muharram. Maulana Qumi said ‘Alam’ was an Islamic symbol (flag) of Hazrat Abbas, brother of Imam Hussain.

The Shiites used to take out a grand procession from Abiguzar to Zadibal on Muharram 10 prior to the eruption of militancy. A senior government official said restrictions would continue to remain in place in parts of old city tomorrow.

Shias hold a series of religious functions and also take out processions, especially during the first 10 days of Muharram. Traditionally on Muharram 8, Shiites in large numbers used to march from Guru Bazar and proceed through the Lal Chowk area of the city before the grand procession culminating at Dalgate. However, this procession was also banned by the government after militancy fearing law and order problems. Shia bodies for long have been seeking the lifting of ban on the main Muharram 8 and 10 processions.

Fruits distributed among patients of SKIMS at Soura  

Srinagar: A voluntary group ‘Ehsaas, A centre for development of social ethics, culture and human values’, formed by a group of local youth, today distributed fruits to patients at SKIMS, Soura. “We chose an entirely different way to pay tributes to martyrs of Karbala. Fresh fruits, packed hygienically in boxes, were distributed among patients admitted to SKIMS. Our volunteers distributed fruit packets among patients, along with hospital catering services, so to avoid any unnecessary disturbance in the hospital,” a statement issued by Ehsaas said. “We believe in work aimed at creating unity and brotherhood among Muslim ummah. One such message was conveyed today through this initiative of distribution of fresh fruits wherein volunteers belonging to both Shia and Sunni factions worked together shoulder to shoulder to pay tributes to martyrs of Karbala,” it added. — TNS