India: Hindus-Muslims observing Hussaini mourning, walk on embers

By: Nizam Hussain

LUCKNOW, India: Incomparable sacrifices of Hazret Imam Hussain (A.S.) rendered some 1,400 years ago in the burning desert of Karbala to nourish the tree of Islam and protect human dignity with his holy blood are being commemorated across India.
 
Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs regardless of their religion fully participate in Husseini ceremonies - majalis-e-aza, matam, jaloos-e-aza, taziya dari etc – for Hussain (A.S.)’s martyrdom was for protection of deen and shariat, and safety of human dignity and that is why Hussain (A.S.) is Martyr of Humanity. 
 
Majalis-e-Aza throughout the day, one after the other, are held in thousands of Imambadas, Ashurkhanas and Azakhanas in all parts of India attended by tens of thousands of mourners. 
 
Maulana Syed Agha Roohi saheb qibla addresses daily majalis at Shia College, Barrister Murtaza Lakha and Maulana Jaffar Abbas at Bandra Masjid Bombay, Zakir-e-Ahlebait (A.S) Maulana Mirza Mohammad Athar at Masjid-e-Iraniya Bombay, Zakera Sabira Mazhar at Mehfil-e-Panjetan Bombay, Maulana Kalbe Jawad saheb qibla at Imambara Ghufran Ma'ab, Maulana Syed Meesam Jarwali saheb qibla at Imambara Agha Baqer and Maulana Syed Hameed-ul-Hasan saheb qibla at Madrasa-e-Nazmia. Majalis are also held at Rizvi College Imambara Bombay.

Meanwhile, series of procession taking out was being held since the advent of Muharram. On 7th Muharram, special processions of Mehndi of Hazrat Qasem bin Hasan (A.S.) were held.
 
In Lucknow and other cities, the mourners walked on embers following the sunnah of Hazrat Zainab bint-e-Ali (A.S.), granddaughter of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (S.W.), who after the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussein (A.S.) when their camps were torched walked through the fire calling for help.  

Held Kashmir: Hussaini mourners to hold banned Ashoora procession SRINAGAR, Held Kashmir: The largest body of Shiias in Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir, Anjuman Sharie Shiayan, has vowed to disobey government ban on main Muharram processions in Srinagar and declared that the annual Ashoora procession will be taken out on its traditional route this year.