NEW YORK: Majalis-e-aza were held throughout the world at mosques, hussainiyaat, Imambargahs and Aza Khanas on the eve and day of Rajab 28 to mark the departure of the grandson of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), The Lord of Martyrs Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) from Medina to Karbala.

On this occasion, mourning processions were also taken out in which thousands of mourners offered condolences performing chest beating and reciting elegies.

Imam Hussain (AS) before leaving Medina on Rajab 28 accompanied by his sons, brothers, sons of brothers and his chaste womenfolk, visited the holy graves of his grandfather the Prophet (SAW), his mother Hazrat Fatimah Zahra (SA) and his brother Imam Hassan (AS).

Imam Hussain (AS) came out to defend the religion of his grandfather and stated his objectives and goals as: “My ‘Qayam’ is not for rebellion, war, oppression or brutality but I have come out to correct the things so that could order piousness and follow the seerat of Nabi (SAW) and Ali (AS)”.

He (AS) departed Medina reciting that verse of Holy Qur’an, which relates the story of Moses (AS) as he fled from Pharaoh’s Egypt: “Then he left it out of fear while he kept on the lookout. He said my Lord save me from the unjust people.” - (XXVIII, 21)