Moin Ul Islam/ Hashim Bilal
Srinagar, July 4: For Shia Muslims, Muharram is not just month of mourning, but a time to reflect on the values of justice, truth, and resistance upheld by Imam Hussain (AS) at Karbala. The 8th of Muharram is one of the important days preceding Ashura, the primary day of mourning. Today, mourners participate in processions, beat their chests, sad poems and recite nohas in remembrance of the sacrifice that stands for justice and truth.
On Friday morning, Srinagar’s Guru Bazar came alive with the echo of nohas and chants as thousands of mourners gathered before dawn. The 8th Muharram procession starts from Guru Bazar and goes through Jehangir Chowk, Maulana Azad Road and ends at Dalgate..
For many Shia families, walking this route is not just a ritual but an act of faith and memory. “I brought my children so they can see and feel what Karbala means to us. This is not just a march,it is our history,” said Villayat Hussain,a local from Zadibal.
Every year we pray for peace and remember Imam Hussain’s sacrifice. Walking in this procession gives us strength and keeps our faith alive,” said Mohammad Rafiq, one of the mourners.
“It feels good to see our procession moving freely. We hope the government will allow us the same for Ashura too,” said a mourner while speaking to Gulistan News Correspondent Irfan Fazil.
