Muharram observances begin in Hyderabad

The Aza Khane Zehra located at Darulshifa, Badshahi Ashurkhana at Madina Building area and the Naal-e-Mubarak Ashurkhana at Pathergatti were also cleaned and prepared.

Hyderabad: The Shia community in the city is gearing up to observe the holy month of Muharram, a time to remember and grieve the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain  in the ‘Battle of Karbala’.

Muharram, the first month of the Hijri calendar, holds great significance in the history of Islam. The Battle of Karbala took place on the 10th day of Muharram, also known as Ashura, in 61 Anno Hijri [AH] (corresponding to 9/10 October 680 CE) at Karbala, now located in Iraq. Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was martyred along with his relatives and companions in the battle.

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In Shia-majority localities such as Darulshifa, Dabeerpura, Noor Khan Bazaar, Zehra Nagar, and Rein Bazaar, ‘ashurkhanas’ — designated spaces for mourning sessions and installation of alams (standards) — are being set up to hold special prayers, and other religious observances. The Shia population in the city is estimated at around 4 lakh, spread across the Old City, Moula Ali, Hayathnagar, Secunderabad and Rajendranagar.

In preparation for the holy month, the Bibi ka Alawa, which sees significant activity during Muharram, has been freshly painted and a shed has been erected to shield visitors in case of rain.

Mirza Riyaz Ul Hassan Effendi, AIMIM MLC, who reviewed the arrangements for the holy month, said the works ongoing for the last fortnight have now been completed.

“All arrangements are made for smooth conduct of programmes scheduled at the Alawa in coordination with various government departments,” he told Telangana Today.

The Aza Khane Zehra located at Darulshifa, Badshahi Ashurkhana at Madina Building area and the Naal-e-Mubarak Ashurkhana at Pathergatti were also cleaned and prepared.

Hamed Hussain Jaffery, president, Shia Youth Conference, said people from around the world come to participate in the events organised during the month of Muharram in the city. “The alam (standards) will be installed after the sighting of the moon. The main Bibi ka Alam procession will be taken out on the 10th day of the Muharram, called Youm-e Ashoora,” he said.