Srinagar, Jun 23 (KNO): As thousands of mourners participated in the 7th Muharram procession in Rainawari on Tuesday, prominent Shia leaders renewed their demand for allowing the 10th Muharram (Ashura) procession on its traditional route, assuring that the religious event would remain peaceful, dignified and respectful.
The traditional Ashura procession in Srinagar historically commenced from Abi Guzar in the city centre and passed through several areas before culminating at Zadibal. The procession was stopped in 1990 amid security concerns and remained restricted for more than three decades. In 2023, authorities allowed the traditional 8th Muharram procession on the Guru Bazar–Dalgate route after a gap of over 30 years, prompting renewed demands from Shia organisations and religious leaders for the restoration of the historic 10th Muharram Abi Guzar–Zadibal procession.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the procession at Rainawari, senior Shia cleric Molana Masroor Abbas Ansari said the traditional Ashura procession should be allowed to proceed along its historic route, assuring that mourners would maintain complete peace and discipline throughout the event.
“The 10th Muharram Ashura procession should be allowed to follow its traditional route. It will remain peaceful, dignified and respectful throughout,” Ansari, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), told media persons.
He appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to authorise the procession on its traditional route, saying the administration should facilitate the peaceful religious observance.
Echoing the demand, Aga Syed Mujtaba said the community’s religious rights must be respected and safeguarded. “Our religious rights must not be taken away. The traditional Ashura procession should be allowed to proceed on its customary route,” he said while interacting with media persons.
The leaders made the remarks as large crowds of mourners gathered in Rainawari to participate in the 7th Muharram procession, commemorating the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in Karbala. Participants marched through designated routes, raising religious slogans and paying tribute to the martyrs of Karbala—(KNO)