Ashura observed across Bangladesh

The country’s Muslims observed Ashura on Wednesday with due religious reverence expressing their remorse for the tragic incident at Karbala desert. The day was observed as a sign of sacrifice and mourning commemorating the Karbala tragedy where Imam Hussain, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad, embraced martyrdom along with his family members and followers on the 10th of Muharram in Hijri 61 (AD 680). Different religious and socio-political organisations marked the day amid different programmes, including discussions, milad mahfils and rallies. Some Muslims also observed the day through fasting and prayers. The day was a public holiday. Shia community members brought out a huge procession, known as ‘Tajia’, from Imambara at Hussaini Dalan in old part of the capital in the morning. The traditional procession with the participation of over 5,000 people paraded different streets in the capital, including Nilkhet intersection and Pilkhana. They were seen carrying flags and banners commemorating the Karbala tragedy. Apart from the main procession, Shia community people brought out several other Tajia processions in different parts of the city. In Syedpur upazila of Nilphamari district, members of the local Shia community built several gateways and decorated the upazila town with lights to mark the occasion. At the Tajia procession, people were seen observing the ritual of self-cutting with sharp weapons despite a ban from law enforcers on carrying lethal weapons. In Sultanshi village in Sadar upazila of Habiganj district, a teenager died and 15 others were injured from electrocution during a Tajia procession. The deceased was- Shuvo Mia, 13, son of Abdus Salam, a resident of the village. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes, and national dailies published articles highlighting the significance of the day. Dhaka Metropolitan Police took a three-tier security measure to ensure peaceful Tajia processions, following last year’s terror attack at the gathering of the Shia community. At least two people were killed and over 150 injured in bomb explosions in front of Hussaini Dalan before the beginning of the Tajia procession on October 23 last year.