The Shia Muslim community in Dhaka commemorated the holy day of Ashura on Sunday with a solemn Tajia procession that began at the centuries-old Hoseni Dalan Imambara and concluded at Dhanmondi Lake, symbolically known as Karbala, amid heightened security.
The procession started around 10:30 am from Hoseni Dalan, a 400-year-old landmark in Old Dhaka, and wound its way through key city streets—passing Bakshibazar Lane, Alia Madrasa Road, Azimpur, Eden College, Nilkhet, Science Laboratory, Dhanmondi 2, BGB Gate and Sat Masjid Road—before ending around 2:30 pm.
This year’s procession featured black banners of mourning, symbolic standards called alams, hands (panja), replicas of Zuljanah (Imam Hussain’s horse), and a zari Tajia. According to M.M. Firoz Hossain, superintendent of Hoseni Dalan, it was designed to highlight the sorrow of Karbala.
A notable addition this year was the involvement of children, who distributed fruits and light snacks such as bananas, guavas, cucumbers, chickpeas, raisins, nuts and sherbet to participants along the route—creating a touching scene of compassion and community spirit.
Most mourners wore black attire and carried symbolic knives, flags and alams. With rhythmic chest beating (matam), they paid tribute to the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who was martyred on the 10th of Muharram in 61 AH on the plains of Karbala.
The main Ashura rituals began Saturday evening with sermons and special prayers at Hoseni Dalan, continuing through the night. Earlier, the first processions had taken place on Friday evening and again late Saturday night.
Beyond Hoseni Dalan, Ashura was also observed with religious solemnity in areas like Boro Katara, Mohammadpur Bihari Camp, Shia Mosque, Bibika Rauza and Mirpur Pallabi Bihari Camp.
Law enforcement maintained stringent security throughout Dhaka. Police, RAB, SWAT, army personnel, fire services and intelligence agencies were all visibly deployed, managing traffic and safeguarding the large gatherings. Security forces also escorted the procession from front to rear to ensure a peaceful observance.
Ashura is a day of profound mourning for the Muslim world, particularly Shia Muslims, marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA). This year’s events in Dhaka reflected not only deep religious fervor but also a rare display of social empathy and the tender involvement of children, underscoring the universal message of sacrifice and unity.
