Muslims across Bangladesh are observing Ashura on Friday (Sept 21) with due religious fervour and solemnity.
Observed on the 10th day of Muharram, Ashura commemorates the death of Imam Hussain, the second grandchild of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who along with his family and 72 followers embraced martyrdom in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.
Muslims all over the world observe this day amidst voluntary fasting and other religious activities.
Like every year, thousands of Shia Muslims took out the Tazia procession from Old Dhaka’s Hossaini Dalan, chanting the name of Imam Hussein and engaging in self-flagellation.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has made multi-tier security arrangements with plain clothes officers assigned to handle any unwanted situation but so far all activities have been carried out peacefully.
People in the procession are abiding by the ban on all kinds of sharp objects including knives, machetes, spears and swords in the procession.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages for Ashura on Thursday (Sept 20), paying deep respects to Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA) and other martyrs of Karbala.
Different political, socio-cultural and religious organizations are also carrying out programmes befitting of Ashura.