Kolkata, Dec 6 (IANS) Hundreds of Muslims across West Bengal took out large processions Tuesday to mourn the killing of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, who was martyred some 1,330 years ago at Karbala in Iraq on the 10th day of the first Islamic month of Muharram.
In Kolkata also hundreds of Muslims took out processions at many places to observe the day, also known as Yaum-e-Ashura, an important date in the Islamic calendar.
Holding flags and dressed in black, men and women took out processions, crying and beating their chests in the ceremonial ‘maatam’ or mourning.
Barefoot men with blades and other sharp-edged weapons flagellated themselves and recited elegies in the memory of Hussain.
‘No untoward incident has been reported. We had taken enough security measures,’ Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Surajit Kar Purkayastha said.
Processions were also taken out at various Muslim-dominated areas of Kolkata such as Park Circus, and Metiabruz etc.
‘It was absolutely peaceful. No untoward incident was reported,’ Commissioner of Police R. K. Pachnanda told IANS.
On Muharram, considered a day of bereavement, Muslims observe voluntary fasts, give to charity and pray in remembrance of Hussain.
