SRINAGAR: Thousands of mourners across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday observed Youm-e-Ashura with solemn religious processions and majlis, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala, as the ten-day Muharram mourning period concluded peacefully under elaborate security and civic arrangements.
The largest Ashura procession in Kashmir was held in Srinagar, where thousands of mourners assembled at Lal Bazar before proceeding through the traditional route to Zadibal. Similar processions and gatherings were organised in several parts of the Valley, with devotees participating in chest-beating (matam), reciting elegies and offering prayers in memory of the martyrs of Karbala.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha joined the main Zuljinah procession at Zadibal, where he offered a chaddar to Zuljinah, distributed water and refreshments among mourners, and paid homage to Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions. He said the sacrifice of Imam Hussain symbolises the eternal values of truth, justice, compassion and selflessness, and prayed for lasting peace, communal harmony and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also joined mourners at Zadibal, visited a refreshment stall set up by the National Conference, interacted with volunteers and devotees, and later paid obeisance at the shrine of Hazrat Mir Shams-ud-Din Iraqi. Srinagar Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi also participated in the Ashura observance.
The observance passed off peacefully as authorities put in place extensive security, traffic and civic arrangements across Kashmir. Large deployments of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force and other security agencies were made along procession routes, while drone surveillance, CCTV cameras and traffic management measures were employed to monitor the gatherings and regulate movement through the congested areas of the old city. Medical camps, emergency services, drinking water facilities and other public utilities were established at various points to facilitate mourners.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, V.K. Birdi said comprehensive security and logistical arrangements had been planned well in advance to ensure the smooth conduct of the processions. He appreciated the cooperation of organisers, volunteers and the public, saying their coordination with the police and civil administration played a crucial role in maintaining discipline and ensuring the peaceful observance of Ashura.
“Our arrangements were slightly different so that people could leave the narrow streets and reach their homes smoothly,” Birdi told reporters, adding that special traffic and crowd-management plans had been implemented for the old city.
Throughout the processions, women, volunteers and charitable organisations distributed water, refreshments and other essentials among mourners, continuing the tradition of service associated with the remembrance of Karbala.
Participants said the message of Imam Hussain transcends religious and sectarian boundaries. “Imam Hussain’s sacrifice was not merely for a community but for the universal values of justice, dignity and resistance against oppression. Karbala teaches people to stand with the oppressed regardless of circumstances,” a mourner said.
Another participant said, “The teachings of Imam Hussain transcend sectarian boundaries. His sacrifice is a timeless lesson on courage, faith and unwavering commitment to truth.”
A woman volunteer serving water to mourners said, “Karbala is not just a historical event but an enduring mission. It reminds every generation to uphold justice, compassion and humanity in the face of tyranny.”
Religious scholars addressing gatherings across the Valley recalled that Imam Hussain’s supreme sacrifice continues to serve as a beacon of courage and a symbol of the eternal struggle between truth and falsehood. They said the annual observance of Ashura renews the commitment to the ideals of sacrifice, righteousness, justice and service to humanity.
The day concluded peacefully across Jammu and Kashmir, bringing to a close the ten-day Muharram mourning period marked by religious congregations, processions and commemorative events held across the region.
