In a display of religious observance and communal harmony, the Jammu and Kashmir administration successfully facilitated the 8th Muharram procession along its traditional route of Lal Chowk, Srinagar for the third consecutive year on Friday. Thousands of mourners participated in the solemn event, which commenced at 5:00 AM from Guru Bazar and concluded at Dalgate, traversing through Budshah Kadal and Maulana Azad Road.
The procession, which had been barred for over 35 years due to security concerns stemming from the late 1980s, saw its restoration in 2023, a move that has been widely welcomed by various religious and civil society groups. The administration’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful observance was evident through elaborate security and logistical arrangements, coordinated by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri and senior police officials in collaboration with representatives from Shia organizations.
To maintain order and safety during the procession, traffic police issued advance advisories, restricting vehicular movement along the route and redirecting traffic via alternate routes.
A serene atmosphere was witnessed during the procession as Aazadar-e-Hussain marched peacefully, chanting elegies in remembrance of Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to commemorate this significant occasion without restrictions. “It is reassuring that for the third consecutive year, we have been able to take out the 8th Muharram procession peacefully,” said Syed Murtaza Rizvi, a mourner from Srinagar.
The event also witnessed a show of unity and service from local officials, including Divisional Commissioner Bidhuri, Inspector General of Police V K Birdhi, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr. Akshay Labroo, and SSP Srinagar Dr. Sundeep Chakarvourti. They participated in the procession at Lal Chowk, offering water to mourners under the scorching sun.
Bidhuri emphasized the importance of maintaining the religious spirit of the procession, urging participants to focus on its true purpose. “We request all mourners to remain focused on the true purpose of the procession and refrain from altering its nature in any way,” he said.
The successful execution of this year’s procession not only marks a significant step toward religious inclusivity but also reflects a broader commitment to reconciliation in the region. The lifting of restrictions on the traditional mourning route has been hailed as a positive shift, fostering an environment where communities can come together in shared observance and respect.
When asked about the 10th Muharram procession, IGP Birdi said, “The administration is in talks with the organizers in all the areas where 10th Muharram processions are held to ensure that these religious events are facilitated.”
Furthermore, the 8th of Muharram is part of the broader commemoration leading up to Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, which marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS)—the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)—along with 72 of his companions in the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq.
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