Hyderabad: Muslims across Telangana are observing the ‘Youm-e Ashoora’ on Friday that falls on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.
The day commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad in Karbala battle centuries ago.
Photo: Anand Dharmana
Special religious meetings are organized to mark the day across Hyderabad. Food camps are also being organized while the traditional ‘sherbet’ is distributed among the people by groups of youngsters on the streets.
In the old city of Hyderabad, the Bibi ka Alam (standard) is taken out in a procession from the Bibi ka Alawa at Dabeerpura. The procession that started at 1 pm will be passing through various areas of the old city before culminating at Chaderghat around 5 pm. Enroute noted personalities will be offering ‘dhatti’ to the Bibi ka Alam.
An elephant ‘Madhuri’ from Kolhapur was brought to the city to carry the Bibi ka Alam as a tradition.
Shia community members belonging to different groups of mourners are participating in the procession performing the customary ‘matam’. Several people have lined up across the procession route to have a glimpse of the activity.
The police made elaborate arrangements for the peaceful passing of the procession.