Kashmir Observes Youm-e-Ashura with Solemnity

Suhail Khan

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Srinagar, June 26: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday joined the Ashura congregations in the old city as thousands of Shia mourners took out processions to mark Youm-e-Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at Karbala.

LG Sinha participated in the main procession at Zadibal, where he was presented with a black armband by mourners as a mark of respect during the solemn observances. He later offered a chaddar to the Zuljinah, joining thousands of faithful in the traditional rituals.

In his message, the Lieutenant Governor paid homage to the martyrs of Karbala and highlighted the enduring values of truth, justice, sacrifice and compassion exemplified by Imam Hussain (AS). He also prayed for lasting peace, communal harmony and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, wearing a black kurta-sharwar and a kifayah (scarf), arrived at Zadibal in downtown Srinagar accompanied by his Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq.

The CM was seen distributing refreshments at a stall set up by his party, the National Conference, and interacted with mourners and volunteers.

Speaking to media, CM Omar said everyone was aware of the significance of the month of Muharram and the 10th of Muharram, Ashura.

He stated that as long as we remembered the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and the lesson derived from it, we would remain secure. He cautioned that when we forgot these lessons, we faced destruction and ruin.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that the day would soon come when the Ashura procession returned to its original route. He said they had made many efforts earlier to bring the procession back to its old route, but could not fully succeed, and would continue their efforts in the future.

Meanwhile, Authorities had put in place elaborate security and traffic arrangements across the city, with the largest congregation taking place in the Zadibal area.

The main Zuljinah procession commenced from Bota Kadal and culminated at Imambara Zadibal.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, V K Birdi, visited the area to review arrangements and praised the public and volunteers for their cooperation in the peaceful conduct of Muharram processions. He said police had made special traffic and crowd management plans to ease movement through the congested lanes of the old city.

“Our arrangements were slightly different so that people could leave the narrow streets and reach their homes smoothly,” IGP Birdi told reporters. He acknowledged difficulties arising from back-to-back religious observances and thanked volunteers and local organisers for their support, adding that police protocols were duly followed.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, said the administration had been preparing for Muharram for over a month.

Extensive consultations were held with all stakeholders, including the Imambara Committee and Shia leaders, to ensure smooth conduct of the processions. “The secret to success is police-public partnership,” he added.

In view of the main procession, traffic diversions were enforced at Firdous Cinema, Mill Stop, Lal Bazar and Bota Kadal. Commuters were advised to avoid unnecessary travel towards the procession route. The SSP urged people to follow the dos and don’ts and traffic advisories issued a week ago.

 

The officer underlined the spirit of communal harmony in the Valley, stating that festivals of all communities, including Eid, Guru Nanak Jayanti and Muharram, were celebrated with mutual respect. “Kashmir is a perfect example of communal harmony,” he said.

Delivering the Friday sermon at the historic Jama Masjid here on Youm-e-Ashoora, the Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, drew parallels from the tragedy of Karbala, terming it an eternal lesson in truth, patience, justice and sacrifice. He said it reminded humanity that while power may appear strong temporarily, it was ultimately truth and moral courage that prevailed.

Asserting that dialogue remained the most reliable path to lasting solutions, the Mirwaiz called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revive the spirit of engagement in South Asia, saying India and Pakistan carried a special responsibility for regional peace.

“Imam Hussain (RA) was not in search of war or confrontation. He stood for the principle that differences must be addressed through truth, adherence to the principles of Islam and sincerity through conversation. But when those before him chose the path of oppression and violence instead, history recorded their failure forever,” the Mirwaiz said.

Referring to recent global developments, he said the US-Israel confrontation with Iran had reaffirmed the limits of military force, adding that despite enormous expenditure and immense human suffering, adversaries eventually returned to the negotiating table. “Wars can alter circumstances and inflict immense suffering, but durable peace and lasting solutions ultimately require dialogue, negotiation and statesmanship,” he said, appreciating efforts by Pakistan and Qatar in facilitating an environment conducive to dialogue.

The Mirwaiz said the lesson was especially relevant for South Asia, home to nearly one-fourth of humanity, where decades of political tensions and mistrust had prevented the region from realising its immense economic potential.

Recalling his own commitment to the principle of engagement, he said following the tragic assassination of his father, Shaheed Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq, in 1990, he inherited the obligation to uphold the principles of justice and dialogue over violence. He said he had consistently for over 36 years upheld this principle despite facing odds.

Observing that Prime Minister Modi was today among the longest-serving leaders in independent India, the Mirwaiz said when he assumed office, he spoke of regional cooperation and demonstrated an interest in improving relations with neighbouring countries.

“I had the opportunity, along with my colleagues, to engage with leaders across political dispensations, including Prime Minister Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. While differences remained, those engagements reflected an important principle: dialogue itself has value,” he said.

“It was our hope that the spirit of engagement that informed PM Modi earlier, and the efforts under leaders such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh, once again found expression,” the Mirwaiz said.

“Peace may be difficult. Dialogue may be slow. Diplomacy may demand patience. Yet these remain the most reliable instruments for resolving issues and securing a better future,” he added.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday paid tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and the martyrs of Karbala, saying their sacrifice continued to inspire humanity to uphold truth, justice and resist oppression. She said Imam Hussain’s martyrdom transcended history and continued to inspire people across generations to uphold dignity, resist falsehood and make sacrifices for the greater good of humanity.

Referring to conflicts and suffering in different parts of the world, Mufti said the message of Karbala remained relevant for people facing oppression and injustice. She urged people to use the occasion for self-reflection, strengthening communal harmony and reaffirming the values of truth, compassion and justice.

Mufti also urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to facilitate peaceful and traditional Muharram processions without restrictions while respecting the religious sentiments of the people. She prayed for lasting peace, prosperity and unity in Jammu and Kashmir and said the ideals of Imam Hussain should continue to guide society in challenging times.

The main Zuljinah procession concluded peacefully at Imambara Zadibal later in the evening. Police had earlier said over one lakh mourners were expected to take part in the Youm-e-Ashura processions on Friday.

Meanwhile, similar processions were held across parts of Kashmir, as the Shia community took out processions throughout the day on Ashura, and all of them ended peacefully across the valley.