United News of Bangladesh

The Holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), was observed in the country on Friday with due religious fervour and solemnity. Ashura, the 10th of Muharram in the Islamic calendar, commemorates the date in the Hijri year of 61, when Hazrat Imam, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and 72 followers embraced the martyrdom in the hands of Yazid’s soldiers at the desert of Karbala to uphold the teachings of the Prophet (SM). The day was a public holiday. Different religious organisations observed the day with various programmes. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken comprehensive security measures to ensure the peaceful and orderly observance of Holy Ashura. DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin announced the measures while briefing reporters after inspecting security arrangements at the Hussaini Dalan Imambara in Old Dhaka on Tuesday.= He said a total of 63 Tazia processions will be brought out in different parts of the city from 1 to 10 Muharram organised by 28 Imambaras under Lalbagh, Wari, Ramna, Tejgaon, Motijheel and Mirpur divisions, he said. To ensure security, DMP has put up barricades, pickets, lining and rooftop surveillance at all processions and major congregation points. Sensitive locations, including Hussaini Dalan Imambara are being monitored round the clock through CCTV and drone cameras. He said banners used in processions must not exceed 12 feet in height, while carrying sharp metallic objects, flammable materials, knives, sticks, swords, spears, bags, bundles or suitcases will be prohibited. The use of fireworks, crackers, high-volume sound systems and drums will also remain banned. The commissioner said specialised units of DMP, Special Branch (SB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit will conduct security sweeps with bomb disposal teams and dog squads at venues and procession routes. Archway gates, metal detectors and manual checks will be used at Imambaras and congregation sites. A temporary sub-control room has been set up at Hussaini Dalan Imambara while key religious sites including Anjuman-e-Haideri, Bara Katra Imambara, Shia Mosque, Bibika Rauza and the Bihari camps in Mirpur and Mohammadpur have been brought under special surveillance, he added. He said SWAT, Bomb Disposal Unit, Dog Squad (K9), Crime Scene Team, Detective Branch (DB) and other specialised units will remain on standby as striking forces will respond to any emergency. Regarding traffic management, Mosleh Uddin said the main Tazia procession scheduled for June 26 will start from Hussaini Dalan Imambara at 10am and proceed through Bakshibazar, Azimpur, Nilkhet, Science Laboratory intersection, Dhanmondi and Satmasjid Road before concluding on the banks of Dhanmondi Lake. Traffic diversions will remain in effect along the designated route from 10am on June 26 until the procession ends. City residents and motorists have been advised to use alternative routes to avoid congestion and facilitate smooth movement of participants. Considering the long procession route and large gatherings, fire fighting units and ambulances will be kept ready for emergencies. A team of skilled divers from the Fire Service and Civil Defence will also be deployed near Dhanmondi Lake to ensure water safety. The DMP Commissioner urged organisers to deploy adequate volunteers with identity cards or designated uniforms to assist police in maintaining order. Mosleh Uddin said cyber patrolling and social media monitoring are underway to prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation online. He requested citizens to immediately inform police or call the DMP Traffic Control Room, Police Control Room or the national emergency service 999 if they notice any suspicious person, object or abandoned bag along procession routes or at Imambaras. The DMP Commissioner expressed hope that with the cooperation of religious leaders, political figures, representatives of different organisations and city residents, all Ashura programmes would be completed peacefully and in an orderly manner.

Holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), will be observed in the country on June 26 as the Muharram moon was sighted in Bangladesh sky on Tuesday. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at the conference room of Islamic Foundation's Baitul Mukarram office with Additional Religious Affairs Secretary Md Fazlur Rahman in the chair, according to a press release. Holy Ashura is observed on 10th of Muharram in the Hijri year commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM). On this day in the Hijri year of 61, Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) along with his family members and 72 followers embraced the martyrdom in the hands of soldiers of Yazid at the desert of Karbala to uphold the teachings of the Prophet (SM).

Tazia processions marking holy Ashura were held peacefully in the capital on Sunday amid strict security measures taken by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).   The main mourning procession of the Shia community began at 10:00 am from the historic Hussaini Dalan in Old Dhaka, with thousands of participants walking barefoot, beating their chests and chanting "Hay Hussein, Hay Hussein" in remembrance.   The procession moved through Bakshibazar Lane, Lalbagh, Shaheed Mazar Road, Azimpur, Nilkhet, Mirpur Road, Dhaka College, Science Laboratory, Dhanmondi Residential Area, BGB Gate No. 4 and Sat Masjid Road, before ending at the symbolic Karbala point on the banks of Dhanmondi Lake.   Earlier  ahead of the procession, DMP had imposed a ban on carrying sharp weapons such as knives, daggers, scissors, spears, lances, swords, and sticks, as well as the use of fireworks and firecrackers.   Holy Ashura being observed with religious solemnity   The 10th of Muharram, observed as Ashura, holds deep religious significance for Muslims across the world.    The Shia community commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein through various rituals, with the Tazia procession being a central part of the observance.   In Dhaka, major mourning processions and events were organised by the Shia community from the historic Hussaini Dalan Imambara in Lalbagh, Boro Katara Imambara, and other locations across the city.    

Muslims across Bangladesh observed the Holy Ashura on Tuesday, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), with religious fervour and solemnity. On this day in the Hijri year of 61, Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and 72 followers, embraced martyrdom at the hands of Yazid’s soldiers on Karbala maidan in Iraq to uphold the teachings of the Prophet.

Muslims across Bangladesh are observing the Holy Ashura on Friday, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), with religious fervour and solemnity. On this day in the Hijri year of 61, Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and 72 followers, embraced martyrdom at the hands of Yazid’s soldiers on Karbala maidan in Iraq to uphold the teachings of the Prophet. Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the day is being observed in a more muted way as the government has prohibited all  processions, including Tajia. Also read: Holy Ashura to be observed on Friday

Holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), will be observed in the country on Friday with due religious fervour and solemnity. On this day in the Hijri year of 61, Hazrat Imam, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and 72 followers embraced the martyrdom in the hands of Yazid’s soldiers at the desert of Karbala to uphold the teachings of the Prophet (SM).  The day is a public holiday. Different religious organizations have chalked out various programmes on the occasion. Islamic Foundation arranged a special milad mahfil at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Thursday noon on the occasion. However, the government has prohibited all kinds of processions including Tajia procession on Ashura this year in view of the coronavirus situation. All other necessary religious rituals on the occasion of holy Ashura can be performed maintaining health protocols, said a release of the Religious Affairs Ministry on August 17. In Bangladesh, every year Shia community members observe the day with elaborate programmes including a Tajia procession in Dhaka which starts from Imambara Husaini Dallan in Old Dhaka. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion. Police have taken special security measures in the capital to facilitate observance of the day.

Banks will remain open on Thursday as the government has re-fixed the holiday on Holy Ashura. Earlier, Thursday was announced as the public holiday on the occasion of  Holy Ashura. READ: Banks to remain closed on Sunday Later as per the decision of the National Moon-sighing committee, the public holiday was re-fixed for Friday, said a Bangladesh Bank circular issued on Wednesday. READ: Banks to return to normal operation hours from Wednesday

Muslim devotees observed Holy Ashura on Sunday, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), with due religious fervour and solemnity. 

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has prohibited any kind of Tajia procession on Ashura this year to prevent the spread of coronavirus.