Mumbai: Muharram, observed in memory of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, and his followers in Karbala, was observed with prayers, fasting, mourning, 'maatam' (beating chest) and processions here on Wednesday.
Several thousands of mourning Muslims joined processions taken out in Dongri, Mazagaon, Bandra, Mahim, Jogeshwari and other Muslim pockets to mark 'Yaum-E-Ashura' (the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram when Hussain was martyred) after the evening congregational 'namaz' in various mosques in the city.
Noted Islamic scholar from Lucknow, Maulana Yasub Abbas presided over the last majlis (prayer meeting) and then joined a procession of mourners, many beating their chests, from Dongri to Mazagaon cemetery with cries of "Ya Hussain" renting the air, amidst tight police security.
The day is observed with fasting and penance by Muslims all over in memory of the sacrifices and subsequent martyrdom of Hussain on the 10th day of the Battle of Karbala (Iraq) in 680 AD.
On the day, hundreds of large earthen water pots, fruit juices and food items were kept for distribution among the poor at various spots in the city.
