The weeping, self lamenting, chest beating, wearing black clothes, offering drinking water, holding the black flags, walking barefoot and reading the rhythmic emotional poetry are some of the ways to express the deepest condolences to those who were martyred and survived in the Battle of Karbala which took place more than a thousand year ago.

Muslims, majorly who belong to the Shia sect commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his 72 followers on first 10 days of the month of Muharram by observing commemoration of the martyrdom, taking out procession, known as Azadari which was held today in Udaipur by Dawoodi Bohra (Bohra Youth) to mark the 10th day also called Ashura.

According to the history, Imam Hussain (grandson of Prophet Muhammad), his family members consisting of men, women, children and his supporters were deceived by the locals of Kufa (a city in Iraq) and the group of Imam Hussain while returning to Mecca were surrounded by the heavy force of Yazid at the desert of Karbala. Yazid was a self proclaimed caliph of Syria who unlawfully wanted allegiance of Imam Hussain but never succeeded in his ill intentions.

Protecting the religious and spiritual values inherited to him through both his grandfather Prophet Muhammad and Father Ali Bin Abu Talib, Imam Hussain rejected all demands of Yazid without caring about the tortures which include cutting water supply to the caravan of Hussain. The brave and noble companions of Hussain not only fought bravely against the tyranny but left a long-lasting effect on the upcoming generations and taught how to fight against terrorism. Muharram is all about the sacrifice of Imam Hussain.

Like every year, this year also the bohra youth community of Udaipur has taken out the azadari procession. Participated by groups of men – young, aged and children wearing black and chanting Ya Hussain! walking together while beating their chests, they marched from the masjid of Moiyadpura to the Masjid of Wazirpura. Hundreds of women were lined up on roadside to observe the azadari.

Pic Credit: Tauseef Hussain.