Holy Ashura Observed Nationwide with Religious Solemnity

A tajia procession was bought out in Dhaka on Saturday

The holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hossain Ibn Ali (RA), the beloved grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), was observed across the country Saturday with profound respect and religious fervour.

Various religious organisations, including the Islamic Foundation, organised programmes to mark the solemn occasion. Special prayers and discussions were held at mosques and religious centres, including the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

In Dhaka, the Shia Muslim community brought out the traditional Tajia procession from the historic Hosenee Dalan in Old Dhaka, which passed through several city streets. Participants, many of whom walked barefoot, expressed grief and mourning through rituals including 'Nowha' — the recitation of elegiac poems commemorating the tragedy of Karbala.

This deeply symbolic procession, part of a centuries-old tradition, highlighted the pain and sacrifice associated with the 10th day of Muharram in the Hijri calendar — a day known as Ashura. It marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA), who, along with his family members and 72 companions, was killed in 680 AD on the plains of Karbala while standing against oppression and injustice.

The sacrifice of Imam Hossain (RA) is remembered by Muslims across the globe as a timeless example of courage, truth, and the struggle for justice — core values of Islam.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, in a message issued on the occasion, paid deep tribute to Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA) and the other martyrs of Karbala. He described Ashura as a day of sorrow, significance, and glory, urging reflection on the values upheld by the martyrs.

The day was observed as a public holiday. State-run Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private TV channels, and online platforms broadcast special programmes and published features highlighting the historical and religious importance of Ashura.