Ashura observed amid tight security
The holy Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram, was observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the world on Wednesday with due religious fervour, commemorating the Karbala tragedy in which Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) embraced martyrdom 1,377 years back.
Marking the day, Shia Muslims brought out Tazia procession at about 10:00am from city’s Husaini Dalan at Bakshibazar.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police made three-tier security arrangements to ensure security during the Tazia processions, following last year's terror attack near the Hussaini Dalan in Old Dhaka.
Police had set time limits on processions and imposed restrictions on carrying all types of metallic objects such as swords, knives, spears, scissors, and any bag.
A series of deadly blasts targeting the Tajia procession of Shia Muslims at Husaini Dalan in Dhaka took place in 2015 leaving two people including a teenage boy dead and dozens injured.
On this day in the Hijri year of 61, Hazrat Imam, grandson of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), along with his family members and 72 followers embraced martyrdom in the hands of soldiers of Yazid at Karbala desert for the supremacy of justice and righteousness.
The day was a public holiday.
The word Ashura means ‘tenth’ in Arabic, and therefore the name of the remembrance, literally translated, means ‘the tenth day.’
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels aired special programmes while national dailies will publish articles highlighting the significance of the day.
President M Abdul Hamid and prime minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages marking the holy Ashura.
Various religious organisations, including Islamic Foundation, and political parties have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.
Several processions were brought out from the city's different areas including Mirpur, Mohammadpur and Purana Paltan.
In the processions, the Shia Muslims expressed mourning and grief by flagellating themselves on the back with chains, beating their heads intending to connect them with Imam Hussain’s sufferings.
Other programmes of the day included Quran Khwani, Milad Mahfil, fasting and feeding of the destitute.
In all main cities including Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet, the Shia Muslims brought out Tazia processions and paraded main streets chanting ‘Hai Husain, Hai Husain.’
News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net
