Shia community in Mumbai mourns Imam Hussain on Ashura

Thousands of followers on Wednesday observed Ashura, by mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussain in the city. Processions were taken out by the Shia community in Shia Muslim dominated areas.

Considered as the darkest day in the history of Islam, Ashura marks the death of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain, who was killed in battle on the tenth day by then Umayyad Caliph Yazid I in the Battle of Karbala in 622 AD along with his 72 companions.

Dressed in black, like all others, Maulana Kasarvi, Imam of Mughal Masjid and a resident of Kurla had come all the way to Bhendi Bazaar, as it is considered the central place of the procession.

“The procession is to tell everyone that we will never side with evil and will always be supportive of the weak,” said Kararvi.   “We do not celebrate for the next two months after Ashura. Today we have basic food only after 4 pm. It is a ritual we have been following for years,” said Asad K, who had also come to mourn. Mourners either beat their chest or their backs using sharp objects for self flagellation. “We give medical help to people. But mostly they recover ontheir own,” said Dr. Zafar Syed who was providing with medical treatment.

A taziya is taken around the lanes and by-lanes and the whole ritual ends at the Shia Ishna Ashari Kabrastan. “Since I am in the profession of medicine, I put up stalls that provide medical aid to those who get injured while performing matam,” said Shezan Ali Hemani, member of the community.