Bhubaneswar, Oct 13: Members of the Muslim Community celebrated the festival of Muharram on Wednesday with a lot of fervor in Odisha where they took out mourning processions (Tazia), fasted and held special prayers.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar in which the Muslims fast on the 10th day of the month. The 10th day of Muharram marks the date when carnage took place at Karbala and Prophet Muhammed’s grandson, Imam Hussain died. Muslims regard Muharram as the month of mourning, commemorating the Battle of Karbala in Iraq and mourn over the death of Imam Hussain.
In memory of the Prophet’s grandson, a section of Muslims in the capital city took out Tazias in huge processions. Tazia processions were taken and later buried at Karbalas of various places. The processions were also observed in places like Bhadrak, Balasore, Soro, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Jharsuguda and Jatni where many Muslims took part. Many Hindu mourners were also seen accompanying the procession.
As the festival clashed with the immersion ceremony of Dussehra, tight security arrangements were made by the police forces at the routes of the procession in many places to avoid any unwanted situation.
Muslims fast on the 9th, 10th and 11th day of Muharram, as it is considered the best fast to observe after Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is believed that fasting on Muharram atones for the sins of the coming year.
