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.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam on Sunday directed DMP officials to take initiatives not to hold Tajia processions and rallies in open spaces on Ashura which falls on August 30 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.