Bhubaneswar: Muharram, the second holiest month of the Islamic calendar after Ramzan, was observed in with solemnity across the state Friday. Going by tradition, Taziyas were taken out in different parts of the state in remembrance of Hussain Ali’s martyrdom.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also tweeted his greetings on the day. “My solemn prayers on Muharram. May the day of observance and sacred month guide all of us to dedicate our lives for the welfare of humanity,” the Tweet read.
The word Muharram means forbidden and sinful. Legend has it that on the 10th day of this month, Imam Hussain Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the third Imam of the Shia community, was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. On this day, the Shia Muslims observe the ceremonial mourning known as ‘Ashura’.
Members of the Muslim community were seen flocking to mosques in different parts of the state, including Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Bhadrak and Rourkela since early morning to offer ‘namaz’.
Demonstrating India’s secularism, a Hindu family in Sambalpur’s Modipada also took out Taziya to observe the day. The family has been taking out the procession since 1964 and observing the day along with its Muslim brethen since ages.
Likewise, people in Bhadrak observed Muharram by offering special prayers at mosques and holding fasts. Following restrictions, Taziya or any other procession was not taken out in the town.