Holy Ashura being observed with religious solemnity

Ashura, the 10th of Muharram in the Islamic calendar, commemorates the date in the Hijri year of 61, when Hazrat Imam, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and 72 followers embraced the martyrdom in the hands of Yazid’s soldiers at the desert of Karbala to uphold the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The Holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), is being observed in Bangladesh on Sunday with due religious fervour and solemnity.

Ashura, the 10th of Muharram in the Islamic calendar, commemorates the date in the Hijri year of 61, when Hazrat Imam, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and 72 followers embraced the martyrdom in the hands of Yazid’s soldiers at the desert of Karbala to uphold the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), UNB reports.

Today is a public holiday.

A Tazia procession in Dhaka was brought around 10:20am from the Gate 1 of Hussaini Dalan.

The procession was scheduled to pass through Bakshibazar Lane, Lalbagh intersection, Shaheed Minar Road, Etimkhana crossing, Azimpur intersection, Nilkhet intersection, Mirpur Road, Dhaka College, Science Laboratory, Dhanmondi Residential Area, BGB Gate 4, and end at Dhanmondi Lake Karbala.

As of filing this report at 1:00pm, the procession joined by a huge number of people was marching several important streets of the city.

Earlier, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) took adequate security measures to ensure peaceful observance of Ashura in the capital, according to Acting DMP Commissioner and Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Md Sarwar.

He said police have been deployed at key locations where Shia community members and other devotees have been participating in mourning rituals since June 27.

Strict security arrangements have been put in place at Hussaini Dalan, Boro Katara, Mohammadpur Bihari Camp, the Shia Mosque, Bibika Rauza, Mirpur Pallabi Bihari Camp and other important venues.

All major Imambaras have been brought under CCTV surveillance and specialised DMP units remain on standby to deal with any untoward situation.

Marking the holy Ashura, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday laid emphasis on establishing ‘equality, justice and peace’ in society and wished for the ‘unity, solidarity and continuous progress’ of the Muslim Ummah.

In his message, Prof Yunus said this sacrifice of the brave soldiers of Islam, standing against the injustice and injustice of the oppressor, will remain forever in the history of the world.

"On this somber day of Holy Ashura, I pay my deepest respects to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the beloved grandson of the greatest Prophet and Messenger Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), and all those who were tragically martyred in the desert of Karbala,” said the Chief Adviser.