VoL Desk, July 29: District Kargil, along with other parts of the world, solemnly observed the Day of Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of the third Shia Imam, Hussain ibn Ali, and his 71 companions in the historic Battle of Karbala.

Mourning processions were held across Kargil at district, sub-divisions, tehsil, and village levels. The largest gatherings took place at the district headquarters, Kargil, organized by the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT) and Jamiat Ulema Isna Ashriya Kargil (JUIAK).

Other processions were also held in Sankoo, Drass, Shakar-Chiktan, Suru, TSG Block, Shargole, and various other villages. Moharram processions from the suburb villages of Kargil town, led by JUIAK, started from the Islamia School premises and culminated at Inqilab Manzil at around 2 pm, where the mourners chanted nohas, beat their chests, and performed self-flagellation.

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Meanwhile, IKMT processions began at 2 pm from the Bus-Stand and concluded at Hussaini Park, where the mourners also chanted nohas and expressed solidarity with oppressed people and opposition to tyrannical rulers worldwide. The mourners were also carrying the Holy Quran in hands as a mark of protest against desecration of the holy book in Sweden and Denmark.

During the concluding sermon, Chairman of IKMT, Sheikh Sadiq Rajai, highlighted the significance of Ghadeer, an important event in Islam, and lamented its overshadowing due to the pollution of Saqifa. Rajai emphasized that the Karbala event played a crucial role in reintroducing Ghadeer to the people.

Rajai further condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden by an Iraqi Christian named Salwan Momika and a group of anti-Muslim activists called Danish Patriots in Denmark. He also strongly criticized the violence against women in Manipur, considering it a shameful act for the entire country and its democracy.

Speaking to VoL, Moulana Abass Karrari of IKMT conveyed that the message of Ashura is to liberate the world from humility, slavery, and oppression, and to foster dignity, freedom, and compassion. The Moharram procession serves as a declaration of solidarity and resistance against terrorism, tyranny, humiliation, inequality, and corruption. He reiterated Hussain’s stance of opposing Yazid due to his stance against humanity and religion.

Sheikh Mohsin of JUIAK viewed Karbala as the largest academic institution disseminating the message of loyalty, love, humanity, and opposition to oppressors. According to him, Karbala’s teachings encompass various aspects, such as loyalty, sacrifice, the role of women, and the role of children. Karbala’s message holds relevance for all of humanity, regardless of age or gender. The act of shedding tears during the procession signifies a form of passive resistance against oppressors, as a way to protest their actions. Hussainiyat, the legacy of Hussain, cannot be defeated, as it continues to live through the countless mourners who pass on its message from generation to generation.

On a commendable note, the health wing of IKMT, Baqirya Health Care and Research Centre (BHC&RC), and the health wing of JUIAK, Al-Reza Health Care and Research Foundation, along with the Health Department of District Kargil, conducted medical camps along the procession route. They provided first aid to the mourners and also registered blood donors for emergency needs.