City observes Muharram marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussain

Muslims across the city observed “Muharram” on Friday commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the battle at Karbala in 680 A.D. Thousands of Shia mourners, reciting Nauha monodies, participated in the historic Bibi ka Alam procession taken out annually to commemorate the martyrdom.

The Bibi ka Alam (standard) started in a procession from Dabeerpura at 1 p.m. and passed through Shaik Faiz Kaman, Yakutpura road, Etebar Chowk, Alijah Kotla, Charminar, Gulzar Houz, Panjeshah, Mandi Mir Alam, and Darulshifa before culminating at Masjid-e-Ilahi at Chaderghat. Several other smaller processions joined the main procession from across the city. Many paid tribute to martyrs of Karbala in “matam”, reciting elegies and flagellating themselves with sharp-edge objects amid cries of “Ya Hussain”.

On representation of HEH Nizam Trust and other Shia organisations, Telangana State

Wakf Board had brought elephant Madhuri from Kolhapur to the city for carrying the Bibi ka Alam as a tradition. People lined up across the procession route to have a glimpse of mourners and the alam. En route, several eminent personalities and government officials offered “dhatti” to the Bibi ka Alam at different points.

Police made elaborate arrangements for peaceful passing of the procession. Hyderabad city police commissioner Anjani Kumar supervised security arrangements and monitored the procession from its commencement to ending.

To mark the day, special religious meetings had been organised across the city. Food camps had been arranged and “sherbet” given to people. Groups of youth also visited hospitals and old age homes to distribute food and fruits to their inmates.

Hussain and his followers had been martyred at the Battle of Karbala more than 14 centuries ago. The place is now situated in Iraq. Every year, mourning begins from the first night of Muharram and continues for 10 nights. The mourning concludes on the 10th day of Muharram, known as Day of Holy Ashura. It is observed by both Sunni and Shia sects equally.

Muharram is the first month of Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months in the year. It is considered second holiest after the month of Ramzan.

TO MARK the day, special religious meetings had been organised across the city. Food camps had been arranged and “sherbet” given to people. Groups of youth also visited hospitals and old age homes to distribute food and fruits to their inmates.