Revival of Tradition: Shia Community’s Historic Muharram Procession in Srinagar After 30 Years
27-07-2023 : The Muharram procession taken out by the Shia community in Srinagar on the Gurubazaar to Dalgate route marks a significant event in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. After a hiatus of more than three decades, this procession was allowed with the permission of the Jammu and Kashmir administration. The last time this procession took place on the 8th day of Muharram was before the outbreak of militancy in the 1990s, making the recent event a momentous occasion for the Shia community.
The Muharram procession is an essential aspect of Shia Islamic tradition, observed to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. For more than three decades, the Shia community in Srinagar had been longing for the opportunity to carry out this religious observance along the Gurubazaar to Dalgate route.
The administration’s decision to grant permission for the procession indicates a significant step towards fostering communal harmony and understanding between various religious communities in the region. The fact that the government responded to the long-standing demand of the Shia community demonstrates an acknowledgment of their religious rights and sentiments.
Security arrangements were put in place to ensure a peaceful and secure environment during the procession. The procession route passing through the bustling Lal Chowk area necessitated careful planning and management to avoid any inconvenience to the general public while ensuring the smooth conduct of the religious event.
The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir emphasized that the timing of the procession was restricted to the early morning hours (6 am to 8 am) to minimize inconvenience to the public during a weekday. This thoughtful approach demonstrates the administration’s commitment to balancing religious rights with the practical considerations of daily life.
The successful culmination of the Muharram procession is seen as a historic milestone, which could pave the way for more inclusive decisions in the future. The administration believes that allowing the procession would open up avenues for similar considerations on other important issues, fostering greater trust and cooperation between the people and the authorities.
It is worth noting that the people of Kashmir played a vital role in creating an atmosphere of peace and understanding, which facilitated the administration’s decision to permit the procession. The peaceful conduct of the event is seen as a collective effort of the community to showcase their religious devotion while maintaining harmony in the region.
However, amidst the positive sentiment surrounding the event, authorities have issued a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt the peace under the pretext of the religious procession. The administration has emphasized that any such disturbances will be dealt with firmly to maintain law and order.
The permission granted to the Shia community for the Muharram procession on the Gurubazaar to Dalgate route after more than three decades is a significant and positive development in Jammu and Kashmir.
