Srinagar- Hundreds of thousands of people joined Alam and Zuljanah processions on Saturday to mark Yaum-e-Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram-ul-Haram. Ashura is observed across Kashmir with profound solemnity to honor the ultimate sacrifice made by Imam Hussain (AS) and his devout companions in the desert of Karbala in 680 CE.
Here in Srinagar, the biggest Ashura procession was taken out in Zadibal quarter of the old Srinagar in which tens of thousands of mourners took part. The procession started from Botkadal and passed through different localities before culminating at the Imambargah in Zadibal interiors late at night.
Mourners were seen carrying banners and chanting slogans in praise of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions who sacrificed their lives but refused to give oath of allegiance to tyrant Umayyad ruler, Yazid.
Many mourners including women and children could be seen walking barefoot. Stalls offering refreshments were set up by several volunteer groups on both sides of the roads at many places leading to Imambara. At a blood donation camp, held in collaboration with SKIMS, at Alamgiri Bazar there was a beeline of volunteers wanting to donate blood in the name of martyrs of Karbala. According to the camp incharge 400 points of blood were collected during the day.
The Ashura procession was traditionally taken out from Abi Guzar and would culminate at Zadibal before 1989.
Although, 8th Muharram procession on the traditional route from Gurubazar to Dalgate was allowed by the administration after a gap of 34 years on Thursday, the ban on traditional Ashura procession from Abiguzar to Zadibal continues. Eversince Ashura procession is brought out in the old city only.
Two other major processions were taken out in Mirgund and Bemina in Budgam.
Meanwhile, reports of similar processions being taken out were also received from other districts of Kashmir including Dangerpora Bandipora, Delina Baramulla, Syedpora Sopore, Hygam, Sopore, Mirgund, Ahmadpora Gund Khwaja Qasim and Hanjivera in Pattan, Devsar Kulgam, Panear Tral, Sofipora, Wullarhama Pahalgam, Chattergul, Achabal in Anantnag and Devsar Kulgam.
Reports of Zuljana procession were taken out in Yousufabad, Magam, Iskinderpora Beerwah and Sonpah areas in central Budgam district.
All government and semi government offices, banks, educational institutions, shops and business establishments remained closed in Kashmir including the summer capital Srinagar while a nominal movement of private and public transport was witnessed on the roads.
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.
Officials said that the situation remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere in the valley.
However the authorities had imposed some restrictions at Abiguzar area, the traditional route wherefrom main Zuljana procession was taken out till 1989. Spools of concertina wires were placed on the main road with a posse of police paramilitary forces deployed to prevent Shia mourners from taking out Zuljana procession.
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