With commencement of Muharram, the first month of Islamic calendar, Shia Muslims in Kashmir have erected banners across roads and streets in entire valley with huge portraits of religious figures dotting the landscape to mourn the martyrs of Karbala.
The first ten days of the month witness processions and taking out of Alam Sharief. “The Ashura processions used to be taken out from two different places in Srinagar. One from Shamaswari Khanqah-e-Moula to Imambara Zadibal led by Ansari’s and the other from Zadibal to Imambara Hassanbad, led by Agas of Budgam,” said Gazzanfar Ali of Alamgari Bazar here.“In late 1970’s, the then Chief Minister, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah had called both the religious parties— Ansaris and Agas— and asked them to take out Ashura procession from Abi Guzar (Lal Chowk) to Zadibal here, to which both the parties agreed and led the annual procession alternately. However, the state government banned taking out of the Ashura processions in early 1990’s when militancy erupted in Kashmir,” said Ali, adding that, “It also prohibited 8th Muharram procession which was taken out from Guru Bazar to Hyderia Hall Dalgate.”
Every year, Shias protest against the ban on Ashura and 8th Muharram processions and demand its revocation.
Alam Sharief processions have been taking place in various areas of Shaher-e-Khaas here which include Kamangarpora Rajouri Kadal, Nowpora, Muniwara, Sheeshgari Mohalla Khanyar, Babapora Habba, Malik Aangan Fateh Kadal, Mahraj Gunj, Shamaswari Khanq-e-Moula, Laygaridora Eidgah, Khanqah-e-Sokhta Nawakadal, Marjanpora Nawakadal, Narwara Eidgah, Sajjadabad Chattabal, Zoonimar, Surteng, Gow Kadal, Tangbagh Khayam and Guru Bazar.
“When the procession passed through these areas, our Sunni brethren would serve salt tea (Namkeen Chai), Kewha, milk, bread and water to the mourners all along. Kashmiri Pandits also used to respect the processions and would distribute fruits among the participants,” said Ghulam Abass from Shahr-e-Khaas.
“People were fond of participating in the processions in Shahr-e-Khaas, and would come from far off places for that. But since 1990’s, the gathering went on thinning,” Abass added.
“Earlier, government used to make all the possible facilities like ration, sugar, kerosene oil, Atta, streetlights, uninterrupted power supply, potable water available weeks before the start of Muharram month, but today, it is yet to review the Muharram arrangements, not to speak of advance preparations,” some Shias in old city complained.
