Peaceful Moharrum in Mumbai

MUMBAI - Muslims Friday peacefully observed Yaum-e-Ashoora, the 10th day of the Muslim month of Moharrum, remembering the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, and his followers in the battle of Karbala about 1,400 years ago.

While Shia Muslims observed the day Thursday, Sunnis observed it Friday by fasting. The city also observed the day by taking out the traditional ‘tazia’ (mourning) procession in Dongri and Mahim in South Mumbai.

The Shias marked the Shaam-e-gharibaan (night of the homeless) and switched off lights at the congregations in the city. Mourners huddled together to cry and beat their chests, a ritual performed in memory of the painful night the family members of Imam Hussain spent after the carnage at Karbala in the 7th century.

With the day coinciding with Friday prayers, police had made tight security arrangements near the places of worship to avoid any uncalled for incident during the tazia procession.