Mumbai, Dec 6 (IANS) Thousands of Muslims in Mumbai mourned the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, some 1,400 ago at Karbala in Iraq, on the the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram.
Over 500 Tazia (mourning) processions were taken out Tuesday on the Yaum-e-Ashoora (10th day of the month of Muharram) in the memory of Hussain in many areas, including Andheri, Dongri, Bori Mohalla, Bhendi Bazar, Kurla, Govandi, Mumbra and other Muslim dominated areas of the city.
The Shias marked the ‘Shaam-e-Gharibaan (the night of the homeless)’ and switched off lights at the congregations in the city. Mourners huddled together to cry and beat their chests, a ritual performed in memory of the painful night the family members of Imam Hussain spent after the carnage at Karbala (in Iraq) in the 7th century.
Discourses at Shia mosques across the city also drew thousands of devotees. Shias marked this month with majlis (congregations) where scholars delivered lectures narrating the tragedy at Karbala and poets recited melancholic poetry.
As the Ambedkar Jayanti and Muharram fell on the same day, Mumbai Police had put in place tight security arrangements to prevent untoward incidents.
Police stations in these city areas were also provided with additional manpower for Muharram. The roads where the processions were taken out were secured and traffic diverted to other routes, the police said.
