Mohsina Malik
Photos by Mehran Bhat
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar of Muslims. Every year, on tenth Muharram, massive processions are organised across the world to pay tributes to the martyrs of Karbala by the Shia community. Hussain (as), the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was martyred along with his family and friends, a total of 72 martyrs, in the desert plains of Karbala in Iraq by the armies of a tyrant ruler.
Groups of people can be overserved reciting elegies, wearing black dresses and badges, beating their chests in a spirit of devotion. The participants carry replicas of Hussain’s mausoleum in Karbala and parade the streets. The ambience is filled with big banners and hoardings are put up on every street and alley.
Till the 10th Muharram, which falls on August 30 this year, these processions are carried out in all parts of the world.
Ashura
Ashura is a holy day observed on the tenth of Muharram. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura marks the day that Mosa (as) and the people of Egypt were saved from Pharaoh by the Allah Almighty. Shia community mourn in the remembrance of martyrs of Karbala while Sunni fast on the day of Ashura. For both Shia and Sunni Muslims, Ashura is a solemn day.
Pandemic and Breach in religious freedom
Policemen stand behind barbed wires set up as road blockade in Srinagar/ Photo Mehran Bhat~ The Kashmiriyat
Religious processions have been taken out in Kashmir since 1527 when Sultan Muhammad Shah ruled the region. Shia Muslims used to take out two major processions, one from Namchbal to Imambara Zadibal and other one from Alamgiri Bazar to Khushalsar.
Women mourners carrying out a procession. Photo- Mehran Bhat~ The Kashmiriyat
In Kashmir, the story remains unchanged for the last three decades. The government’s ban on Muharram processions (Muharram 8 and 10) in the Srinagar city is in place since 1990 when the insurgency was at the peak. It was banned by Jagmohan Malhotra, former Lieutenant Governor of J&K. Despite the curfew-like restrictions imposed by authorities, thousands of young devotees carry out processions and are subjected to police action. They are thrashed, manhandled and some are even sent to custody. Concertina wires are put up at almost every entry point to the city centre. The cops do not allow pedestrian movement in Lal chowk, and restrictions are enforced in adjoining areas of Srinagar city.
Each year, we try to practice our religious duties but are foiled by the police action says Qasim Rizvi, a Shia mourner.
Shia mourner spraying disinfectant / Photo Mehran Bhat~ The Kashmiriyat
21st August/ 1st Muharram
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, religious gatherings and proccesions were allowed only for limited people at local levels in the respective localities following SOP’S as decided by the administration and Anjuman Sharian Shia.
22nd August/ 2nd Muharram
Restrictions re-imposed in Zadibal area of Srinagar city.
23thAugust/ 3rd Muharram
The government decided to cancel processions including the procession of Ashura, which was supported by the religious heads of Shia community.
During the midnight around 12:00 am in Zadibal, Shia mourners carried out a peaceful procession, police intervened and tried to foil the procession. A woman mourner was beaten up by the police.
24th August/ 5th Muharram
Mourners Beating their Chests during the Muharram Procession/ Photo Mehran Bhat~ The Kashmiriyat
Small religious gathering was organised in Chinkra Mohalla, Habba Kadal, where mourners gathered, recited elegies and a procession was taken out towards Fateh Kadal from Habba Kadal.
Saba Zehra, a resident of Srinagar old city said, said that this year only small gatherings can be organised due to the fear of coronavirus. Elderly people, kids, and those who are ill can’t participate because they are on high risk of getting COVID-19. We have to follow SOP’s set by the administration.
At various places hundred of mourners were beaten, even sent to custody, many were injured and processions were foiled, police resorted to tear gas shelling and used pellets guns to disperse the processions during the 7th, 8th and 9th Muharram.
Alam carried by shia mourners / Photo- Mehran Bhat ~The Kashmiriyat
On 10th Muharram, the traditional procession was carried out in Zadibal but was foiled by the action of the police.
Carrying procession, practising religious duty is not violence, shouting Labaik Ya Hussain, Labaik Ya Zehra are not slogans. Why then the action on us, if we are peacefully carrying out the procession, said Abrar Ali, a Shia mourner from Srinagar.