Hijri Year Begins With Muharram
In Hyderabad, large-scale, traditional mourning processions (Ashura processions) are held, passing through historic areas like the Old City.
Hyderabad:The Islamic New Year (1 Muharram 1448 AH) commenced on June 16 in Hyderabad. The first month of the Hijri calendar, Muharram is also one of the four sacred months in the Islamic lunar calendar. Scholars explained that the word ‘Muharram’ literally translates to “forbidden” or “prohibited,” indicating that warfare and fighting are traditionally forbidden during this time.
Gulam Mohammed Irfan from the Sunni community said, “We offer special prayers and ask for forgiveness. Some people observe voluntary fasts on the 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th of this month.”
Junaid Quadri, a scholar, explained, “Though this is the new year month, there will not be any celebrations. To the Shia Muslims, the 10th day of Muharram is a major day of mourning and remembrance, commemorating the tragic martyrdom of Imam Hussain bin Ali, (grandson of the Prophet) at the Battle of Karbala, which is marked with solemn gatherings, processions and distributing free water to honour the martyrs’ thirst.”
“In Hyderabad, we have a sizeable population of Shia Muslims. The community will be having the congregational prayers for the whole month; these prayers will be carried on for 68 days,” he said.
In Hyderabad, large-scale, traditional mourning processions (Ashura processions) are held, passing through historic areas like the Old City.
Ali Raza, a Shia Muslim, said, “The 10th of Muharram is the most prominent day of the month. On this day, the mourning takes place; there is no celebration. The faithful wear black clothes on the day. We participate in the congregational prayers.”