Main procession to be allowed through traditional route from Bota Kadal to Imambara Zadibal: Top Official; Traffic police issues advisory; Zuljinah procession to be taken out from Botakadal area of city; Shia leader Masroor Abbas demands religious freedom for all sects; says no place for sectarianism in Kashmir
Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jul 28: In yet another significant development, the authorities Friday announced that the Ashoora (10th Muharram) procession will be allowed through traditional route from Botakadal, Lal bazar to Imambara in Zadibal while the traffic department issued an advisory for the smooth flow of traffic. Ashoora, the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) will be observed across J&K with religious zeal on Saturday.
“Ashoora procession will be allowed through traditional routes of the city tomorrow (10th Muharram). Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure smooth passage of mourners who will participate in the Ashoora procession,” the official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
This is the second major decision taken by the UT administration after allowing 8th Muharram procession first time after 34 years in Srinagar through traditional routes. The 8th Muharram procession was allowed from Guru Bazar to MA Road to Dalage. Shia leaders had expressed gratitude to LG Manoj Sinha for the historic decision. Police had made elaborate arrangements for 8th Muharram. “Additional security arrangements will remain in place for Ashoora given the huge gatherings,” he said.
Ashoora marks the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who was martyred in Karbala, Iraq some 1400 years ago along with his family members and companions.
Shia leader and Itehadul Muslimeen head Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari while addressing the gathering in Srinagar on 9th Muharram said that Kashmir has never allowed sectarianism and that Sunni brethren were seen distributing water and other beverages among Shia mourners on 8th Muharram. “I am hopeful there will be no ban on 10th Muharram procession and we should be allowed to carry out procession the way we have been doing before 30 years. Similarly, every religious community should enjoy religious freedom,” he said, adding that every community should enjoy religious freedom in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, to ensure smooth flow of traffic, the traffic department issued an advisory for Ashoora. According to the advisory, the Youm-e-Ashoora will be observed on 10th Muharram (29th July-2023). “The main Zuljinah procession shall be taken out from Bota Kadal up to Imambara Zadibal, which effects traffic movement in Zadibal and adjacent areas,” it reads, adding that “In order to have smooth movement of traffic and for convenience of general public/motorists, the following traffic advisory is issued: Traffic moving towards Zadibal will be diverted at Firdous Cinema, Mill Stop, Lal Bazar, Bota Kadal & Chattipadshahi.”
It further states that “Motorists intending to go towards Soura from Lal Chowk or vice versa shall adopt Dr. Ali Jan Road and Motorists moving towards Lal Chowk from Zakoora or vice versa shall adopt Foreshore Road.”
“The vehicles coming from Gojwara towards Zadibal will be diverted at Firdous Cinema towards Dr. Ali Jan road via Sazgaripora and the vehicles coming towards Badamwari from Lal Chowk via Rainawari will be diverted at Chatipadshahi towards Kathidarwaza,” the advisory further reads adding that “motorists from the Lal Bazar area will use the Kanitar-Hazratbal-Foreshore road. The General Public is requested to kindly avoid unnecessary movement towards the areas where Youm-e-Ashoora processions are being taken out to avoid any inconvenience.”—(KNO)
