Kashmiri Shia Muslims Making Preparations for Muharram Ceremonies
In Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir under Indian control, black flags and banners have been raised in honor of Imam Hussain (AS) and his noble companions.
The tenth day of Muharram is called Ashura. For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a day of massive mourning demonstrations to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali (AS), the third Shia Imam, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
Shojaat Ali, a Kashmiri calligrapher, is designing banners for the commemoration of Imam Hussein (AS).
Banners are in high demand as they are an essential part of Muharram in different areas of Kashmir.
"People from different parts of Kashmir, even from Kargil, come to me to make them banners,” Ali told Iran Press.
"We need to spread the message of the Karbala movement to more people using various methods such as fabric printing, mourning, and media," he added.
Muharram ceremonies are held in various parts of Kashmir. However, the Indian authorities have banned two major gatherings in Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, on the 8th and 10th of Muharram (Ashura) since 1990.
Source: Agencies
