United News of Bangladesh

The Holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), is being observed in Bangladesh on Sunday with due religious fervour and solemnity. Ashura, the 10th of Muharram in the Islamic calendar, commemorates the date in the Hijri year of 61, when Hazrat Imam, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and 72 followers embraced the martyrdom in the hands of Yazid’s soldiers at the desert of Karbala to uphold the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Today is a public holiday. A Tazia procession in Dhaka was brought around 10:20am from the Gate 1 of Hussaini Dalan. The procession was scheduled to pass through Bakshibazar Lane, Lalbagh intersection, Shaheed Minar Road, Etimkhana crossing, Azimpur intersection, Nilkhet intersection, Mirpur Road, Dhaka College, Science Laboratory, Dhanmondi Residential Area, BGB Gate 4, and end at Dhanmondi Lake Karbala. As of filing this report at 1:00pm, the procession joined by a huge number of people was marching several important streets of the city. Earlier, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) took adequate security measures to ensure peaceful observance of Ashura in the capital, according to Acting DMP Commissioner and Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Md Sarwar. He said police have been deployed at key locations where Shia community members and other devotees have been participating in mourning rituals since June 27. Strict security arrangements have been put in place at Hussaini Dalan, Boro Katara, Mohammadpur Bihari Camp, the Shia Mosque, Bibika Rauza, Mirpur Pallabi Bihari Camp and other important venues.  

Holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), will be observed in the country on Friday with due religious fervour and solemnity. On this day in the Hijri year of 61, Hazrat Imam, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and 72 followers embraced the martyrdom in the hands of Yazid’s soldiers at the desert of Karbala to uphold the teachings of the Prophet (SM).  The day is a public holiday. Different religious organizations have chalked out various programmes on the occasion. Islamic Foundation arranged a special milad mahfil at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Thursday noon on the occasion. However, the government has prohibited all kinds of processions including Tajia procession on Ashura this year in view of the coronavirus situation. All other necessary religious rituals on the occasion of holy Ashura can be performed maintaining health protocols, said a release of the Religious Affairs Ministry on August 17. In Bangladesh, every year Shia community members observe the day with elaborate programmes including a Tajia procession in Dhaka which starts from Imambara Husaini Dallan in Old Dhaka. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion. Police have taken special security measures in the capital to facilitate observance of the day.

Muslim devotees are observing Holy Ashura on Sunday, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), with due religious fervour and solemnity.