The holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hossain Ibn Ali (RA), was observed across the country with due religious solemnity on Sunday.
On the 10th of Muharram in the Hijri year 61, Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA), a grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and followers, were brutally killed by the soldiers of Yazid at the battle of Karbala on the bank of Euphrates in Iraq while fighting for establishing truth and justice in society.
Anjuman-E-Panjatani, the biggest organisation of the Shia community, organised a ten-day-long condolence discussion marking the day in Khulna.
Later, they brought out a procession in the city from Altapoll lane of Anjuman-E-Panjatani, Imambara which ended at the same place after parading the main streets of the city.
A huge number of Shia community people participated in the procession.
Speaking at the pre-mourning procession, Hujjatul Islam Sayed Ibrahim Khalil Razavi, Principal of the Islamic Education Center, said that the heartbreaking incident of Karbala has a vast lesson for Muslims. The incident of Karbala teaches Muslims not to compromise with lies and to remain conscious of keeping the flag of truth high.
Although centuries have passed since the tragic incident of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hossain (AS) and his faithful companions, their importance and dignity have not diminished at all; rather, the consciousness of Ashura is expanding with time.
Identifying world Zionism, the main center of injustice, he said that hatred for Zionist Israel and its allied groups should be expressed in his words and actions of all nations and governments, and the meeting of executioners should be narrowed.
He called on the Muslim world to come forward to stop the atrocities of Israel, keeping in mind the Hosseni spirit. He said that if the Muslim countries come forward, the world's terrorist state, Israel, will not survive even for a moment.
After the discussion, a mourning procession paraded the main roads of the city and ended at the Imam’s house. Shia Muslim men and women from different areas participated in the mourning procession.
Different religious organisations , including Islamic Foundation, observed the day through various programmes in Chattogram.
The Shia community people brought out large scale peaceful processions from different areas in the city in memory of the tragic events of Karbala.
The mourning procession started from the city’s Andarkilla and Sadarghat Imamia Ishna Ashara Imambargah in the morning at 11 am today. The Sadarghat procession was led by Hujjatul Islam Maulana Amjad Hossain. The procession concluded at Sadarghat Imambargah after passing through different important city streets including Kalibari Road, New Market, GPO, Kotwali intersection.
Hundreds of barefoot women, men and children participated in the procession carrying Alam (religious flag) and Tabut (symbolic coffin).
The surroundings of the procession became heavy with the sounds of 'Hay Hossain, Hay Hossain'; the entire area was immersed in the sad melody of Marcia and the beating of the chest.
In a brief speech at New Market intersection, Maulana Amjad Hossain said, “Imam Hussain (AS) is not only a character in history, he is a model of justice—a guide to our lives. We must build unity by eliminating divisions and conflicts within the Muslim Ummah. Those who are carrying out murder and terrorism in the name of Islam must be exposed.”
About Palestine, he said, “Even today, genocide is going on in Palestine because there is no unity in the Muslim world. As long as we are not united, the occupying power will exploit our weaknesses. The world must say now – stop the genocide in Palestine. We are with the Palestinians and will continue to be.”
Other programmes of the day included Quran Khwani, Milad Mahfil and fasting. Besides, most Muslim families in the port city offered Fatheha.
Islamic Foundation organized a discussion on the 'Importance of Holy Ashura in Preserving Peace and Order in Society' at the city’s Andarkillah Shahi Jame Mosque office.
# Different religious organisations, including Islamic Foundation and Bangladesh Ahle Hadith Bayte Foundation, observed the day through various programmes in Rajshahi.
Biswabangla Foundation arranged a procession and held a street-corner meeting at Shaheb Bazar Zero Point in the city from 9.30 am to 10.40 am, where around 350 Muslims joined.
Local unit president of the foundation Dr Shah Syed Hasib Ul Hasan and its general secretary Sadeque Ali, former councilor of Rajshahi City Corporation Abdus Samad and Coordinator of Al-Jamiyatul Arabiya Hafez Nuruzzaman, among others, spoke on the occasion.
The Shia community people brought out a peaceful procession in the city area to mark the day.
Other programmes of the day included Quran Khwani, Milad Mahfil and fasting.
Islamic Foundation organised a discussion on 'Importance of Holy Ashura in Preserving Peace and Order in Society' at Hatemkha Jame Mosque.
Thousands of Muslims, after Johr prayers, offered special munajats seeking divine blessings and eternal peace of departed souls particularly their near and dear ones, continued peace, progress, and prosperity of the country and as well as greater welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
Law enforcing agencies, particularly Rajshahi Metropolitan Police and Rapid Action Battalion, adopted tight security measures to mark the day.
Rajshahi City Corporation arranged lighting in all graveyards on the occasion.
