Budgam: As the first Islamic month of Muharram begins on Friday, the Divisional Commissioner for Kashmir region P K Pole on Wednesday said that Muharram processions will be allowed only on permitted routes, which have been already notified by the authorities.
Talking to reporters in the Shia majority Budgam, Pole said that decisions regarding Muharram processions have been taken at the appropriate level.
“Muharram processions will be allowed only on the already permitted routes. All the concerned have also been requested to hold processions through those routes only,” he added.
P K Pole on Wednesday along with other district officers visited Imam Bara Budgam in central Kashmir ahead of Muharram to take stock of Muharram arrangements.
Muharram is one of the holiest month in Islam when warfare is forbidden. Muslims especially ‘Shia’ mourn the martyrdom of Prophet's grandson Hussain who was killed and beheaded during the Battle of Karbala in the month of Muharram along with 72 of his followers the army of Yazid.
Followers of the faith take mass processions to mark the martyrdom while hoisting flags and reciting salutation to the prophet’s family.
All of the fundamental beliefs of Islam are similar for Shias and Sunni, a small difference between the two ‘sects’ is that Shias believe the last prophet of Islam Muhammad (PBUH) nominated his cousin and son in law Ali ibn Abu Talib as his successor and believe a ruler must be male child from the lineage of Prophet’s family and sunni believe a leader can be any practicing Muslim chosen by agreement of the authorities of the muslim populace (ummah).
For decades, citing Law and order situations, government banned muharram processions in Kashmir region. The practice of taking out Muharram processions at the city centre was banned in 1989 after militancy broke out and such religious processions turned into anti-India protests. However, large processions would be allowed in all Shia majority areas of Srinagar's Zadibal and Hasnabadh areas and Budgam.
Last year, several Shia mourners were detained when they tried to cross the barricades and converge onto the streets of Lal Chowk. Many were carrying placards with Islamic and ‘free Kashmir’ slogans written on them.
(With KNO Inputs)