Thousands join Ashura procession in Srinagar as Omar Abdullah, LG Sinha participate

Srinagar: Thousands of people joined the Ashura procession in Srinagar on Friday, in which J&K CM Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also participated to commemorate the sacrifice of Imam Hussain in the Battle of Karbala.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, while addressing the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid, said the Battle of Karbala carries an eternal lesson of truth, justice and sacrifice, and urged PM Narendra Modi to revive the spirit of engagement and dialogue.

Thousands of mourners participated in the procession in the downtown area and spent the whole day attending commemorative services organised at various places along the route. The mourners carried posters and banners of Iranian leaders, including Imam Khomeini, Imam Khamenei and the current religious head, Imam Mujtaba.


"Even after centuries, Imam Hussain's stand against oppression is a guiding force for humanity," said Asrar Ali, a student who attended the procession. The CM also visited the revered shrine of Mir Shams-ud-Din Araqi (R.A.), where he offered Fatihah and prayed for lasting peace, communal harmony and prosperity across J&K.

Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by the Shia community across the world through programmes and processions to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (R.A.), who was killed along with his family members and companions in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE on the 10th day of Muharram, also known as Ashura.