The day of Ashura, or martyrdom, of Imam Hussain will be observed by Shia Muslims across the world on Friday. In Mumbai, except for the Dawoodi Bohra community that observed it on Wednesday, most other Shia sects observing Muharram come to Bhendi Bazaar and Dongri wearing black clothes.

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“Imam Hussain and his 72 companions were martyred on this day. His companions were martyred one by one, Imam was martyred around 4pm. Because they were martyred when they were hungry and thirsty, people fast for the first half of the day in remembrance of them,” said Maulana Fayyaz Baqri.

He added, “Around 1,400 years ago, Imam stood against the wrongs of that time. Because he was against the then ruler and did not bow to him, they were martyred on the 10th day. Food and water to them was stopped three days before.”

“In his memory and that of his companions, we make sure that we give water to people. We do this along the route of the Julus (procession) in particular. We even make sure there are bins and plastic bags so that there is no litter around once the Julus has passed,” said Shezanali Hemani, an MBBS student who came to the city all the way from Sangli.

Julus often see self-flagellation that followers carry out on their way to the Rehmatabagh Kabrastan or the Khoja Kabrastan, both in Mazgaon where the Julus ends. “It’s the place where the last rituals are conducted before the group disperses,” Hemani said.

After the procession, Muslims go back to the Majlis (discourse). “On Friday night, the discourse is called Sham-e-Gariba. It is called so because the tents in which the women companions stayed during that time were burnt,” said Kausar Zaidi, a member of the community. The mourning period, however, goes on for 30 days after the day of Ashura.

In memory of the lost onesShia Muslims fast for the first half of the day. They also make sure that they give water to as many people as possible, particularly along the route of the Julus (procession). Julus often see self-flagellation that followers carry out on their way to the Rehmatabagh Kabrastan or the Khoja Kabrastan