Tazia processions mark Muharram

New Delhi, Jan 30 (UNI) Muslims across the country today took out Tazia processions amid tight security to observe Muharram, commemorating the death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, more than 13 centuries ago.

In Srinagar, about 40 Shia mourners were arrested when they violated a ban imposed on the Muharram processions by the authorities since 1990. Scores of mourners assembled at Regal Chowk despite a ban and tried to move towards Moulana Azad road in a procession.

A large number of police personnel deployed in the area since early this morning swung into action and stopped them. However, when the processionists refused to disperse, police resorted to baton charge.

In Delhi, hundreds of Shia Muslims participated in 'Tazia' processions. Dressed in black and chanting ''Hai Hassan, Hai Hussein'', they wound through the streets of the city in two processions amid tight security.

While one procession commenced from Kashmiri Gate, the other started from Jama Masjid in the walled city. Both the processions culminated at the Karbala Maidan in Jor Bagh. Traffic in the city was affected due to the processions.

In Ahmedabad, processions began from all the four zones of the city amid tight police bandobast. The city, divided into four zones --A, B, C and D--covers all the places from where tazias originate.

A report from Kolkata said, hundreds of Tazias were to be taken in 'Jaloos' (processions), culminating at Khidderpore, where all of them would be kept or buried.

The processions along with the Tazias will be taken out at around 2100 hours from various parts of the city like M G Road, Raja Bazar, Khidderpore, Central Avenue and Chandni Chowk.

Muharram was also being observed with religious fervour amid tight security in Jharkhand where Hindus were seen taking active part in the functions at many places.

Meanwhile, in a unique display of solidarity between Hindus and Muslims, a large number of Hindus joined the Muharram rally in Bhopal last night, keeping alive a tradition dating back to 1882.

The rally reportedly included 25,000 Hindus.

''Hindus in large numbers had traditionally been participating in the rally. On the night of Shahadat, thousands of Baba's devotees took part in the rally wearing a green scarf on head and 'sehali' around the neck and chanting slogans. It was difficult to differentiate between Hindus and Muslims,'' Imambada's Mujabar Syed Ali Khan said.

UNI