Srinagar– Tens of thousands of Shia mourners are expected to participate in Ashura procession being taken out from Botakadal area of the old city to Zadibal Imambargah on Saturday amidst stringent security measures.
Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure smooth passage of mourners who will participate in the Ashura procession,” officials said.
Speculation was rife that the authorities may allow Ashura day procession on its traditional route following the peaceful conclusion of the 8th Muharram procession on Thursday.
Authorities here allowed the 8th Muharram procession from Gurubazar to Dalgate after lifting a 34 year old ban imposed on it following the outbreak of insurgency in Kashmir in 1989.
Shia leaders had expressed gratitude to LG led administration for what both sides called a “historic decision” urging it to lift the ban on Ashura procession on its traditional Abiguzar-Zadibal route as well.
However, according to the sources, the administration did not want to take any chance as the traditional route starts in the civil lines and passes through almost the entire downtown.
“Additional security arrangements will remain in place for Ashura given the huge gatherings,” an official said.
Ashura marks the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). Imam Hussain was martyred along with his kin and companions in the deserts of Karbala some 1400 years ago.
Vice-President of J&K Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian, Darul Mustafa Budgam, Agha Syed Mujtaba Al-Mosavi told Kashmir Observer that the authorities have not granted permission to take out Ashura procession on its traditional route from Abiguzar to Zadibal Imambargah.
“We pressed for the permission of the 10th Muharram procession on the traditional Abiguzar route. However, as per the traffic advisory, Ashura procession will be taken out from Botakdal to Zadibal as usual,” he said.
Mujtaba said allowing 10 Muharram procession through non-customary route was meaningless as tens of thousands of mourners from across the Valley used to participate in Ashura procession from Abiguzar that would pass through downtown Srinagar before culminating at Zadibal.
Ittihadul Muslimeen president Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari meanwhile had urged authorities to allow Ashura procession as peaceful 8th Muharram has dispelled the impression that anything untoward will happen if ban on Muharram processions is lifted.
“Kashmiris have never allowed sectarianism and that Sunni brethren were seen distributing water and other refreshments among Shia mourners a day earlier on 8th Muharram” Ansari said while addressing a gathering in Zadibal on 9th Muharram.
He expressed gratitude to the administration for lifting the ban on 8th Muharram but gave credit for it to those people who bore the brunt for keeping the tradition of taking out Alam Sharif on this route alive all these years.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY
To ensure smooth flow of traffic, the traffic department issued an advisory for Ashura.. According to the advisory, the Youm-e-Ashura will be observed on 10th Muharram (29th July-2023).
“The main Zuljinah procession shall be taken out from Bota Kadal up to main Imambara Zadibal, which effects traffic movement in Zadibal and adjacent areas,” it reads, adding that “In order to have smooth movement of traffic and for convenience of general public/motorists, the following traffic advisory is issued: Traffic moving towards Zadibal will be diverted at Firdous Cinema, Mill Stop, Lal Bazar, Bota Kadal & Chattipadshahi.”
It further states that “Motorists intending to go towards Soura from Lal Chowk or vice versa shall adopt Dr. Ali Jan Road and Motorists moving towards Lal Chowk from Zakoora or vice versa shall adopt Foreshore Road.”
“The vehicles coming from Gojwara towards Zadibal will be diverted at Firdous Cinema towards Dr. Ali Jan road via Sazgaripora and the vehicles coming towards Badamwari from Lal Chowk via Rainawari will be diverted at Chatipadshahi towards Kathidarwaza,” the advisory further reads adding that “motorists from the Lal Bazar area will use the Kanitar-Hazratbal-Foreshore road. The General Public is requested to kindly avoid unnecessary movement towards the areas where Youm-e-Ashura processions are being taken out to avoid any inconvenience.”
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