The country’s Muslim community on Friday (Sep 21) observed the holy Ashura as elsewhere in the world marking the 10th day of Muharram with due solemnity and religious fervour.
The day was observed as a symbol of sacrifice and mourning recalling the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of the Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), in the battle of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram in Hijri 61.
In the historic battle, Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) along with his family members and 72 followers embraced martyrdom at the hands of Yazid’s soldiers in the desert of Karbala to uphold the teachings of the Great Prophet (PBUH).
The word Ashura means simply “tenth” in Arabic, and therefore the name of the remembrance, literally translated, means “the tenth day”.
The day was a public holiday.
President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the holy Ashura, paying deep respects to Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA) and other martyrs of Karbala, local media reports said.
Religious organizations, including Islamic Foundation, chalked out various programmes to observe the day.
The Shia Muslims brought out a large procession known as Tazia in the city from Imam Bara at Hosenee Dalan of Old Dhaka and it paraded different city streets.
Besides, several processions were brought out from city’s different areas including Mirpur and Mohammadpur.
In the processions, the Shia Muslims expressed mourning and grief by flagellating themselves on the back with chains, beating their heads intending to connect them with Imam Hussain’s (RA) sufferings.
Tight security measures were taken in the city to help observe the holy Ashura peacefully and avert any untoward incident.
Other programmes of the day included Quran Khwani, Milad Mahfil, fasting and feeding of the destitute.
In all main cities including Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet, the Shia Muslims brought out Tazia processions and paraded main streets chanting “Hai Hussein, Hai Hussein.”
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes, while newspapers published special articles highlighting significance of the day.
