Moharram passes off peacefully in Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 20 (UNI) Moharram was observed peacefully in the city, with the Shia community taking out tall and huge 'tazia' processions at several places in memory of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Husain and his family.

The decorated 'tazias' are symbols of tomb of Imam Husain.

It also marked the end of the mourning period, which the Muslims all over the world observe from first of Moharram to the day of Aashoora (the tenth day of Moharram).

The barefoot mourners, wearing black clothes, took out processions starting from one mosque of the city and ending at another. They were seen beating their chests to chants of 'Ya Hassan, Ya Hussein' with tears gushing out from their eyes intermittently.

The procession at the Mughal Masjid at Sandhurst Road on the Harbour lines, which has a predominantly Shia population, was the largest one with thousands of youths rubbing shoulders with each other and beating their chests.

At several places across the city, 'sharbat' (sweet water) was also served irrespective of one's religion. Since the Imam's family was denied water by the Yezid (the tyrant who martyred Imam Husain and his family) for three days, Muslims distribute food, cold drinks and sharbat so that no one goes thirsty or hungry.

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