Karbala tragedy recalled

The Muslims in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world on Tuesday observed Holy Ashura with due respect and religious solemnity, recalling the Karbala tragedy. Holy Ashura is observed on Muharram 10 as a symbol of ‘sacrifice and mourning’ recalling the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RA), a grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), in the battle of Karbala in Hijri 61. In the historic battle, Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) along with his 72 followers were martyred by the soldiers of Yazid at Karbala (Iraq) while fighting for establishing truth and justice in society. The word Ashura means simply ‘tenth’ in Arabic, and therefore the name of the remembrance, literally translated, means ‘the tenth day’. The day was a public holiday in Bangladesh. Different government, private and religious organisations, including Islamic Foundation, chalked out various programmes to observe the day. The Shi’a Muslims brought out a large procession known as Tazia in the city from Imam Bara at Hosenee Dalan of Old Dhaka. Besides, several processions were brought out from the city’s different areas including Mirpur, Mohammadpur and Purana Paltan. Other programmes of the day included Quran Khwani, Milad Mahfil, fasting and feeding of the destitute. In all main cities including Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet, the Shi'a Muslims brought out Tazia processions and paraded main streets chanting "Hai Hussein, Hai Hussein.’ Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes, while newspapers published special articles highlighting significance of the day, according to a news agency.