Display of unbridled emotions marked ‘Youm-e-Ashoora,’ the 10th day of Muharram here on Tuesday. Coinciding with the occasion, the historic Bibi-ka-Alam procession was taken out from Bibi-ka-Alawa in Dabeerpura to Chaderghat. Scores of grieving members of the Shia community marched along the procession beating their chests to the chants of ‘Ya Hussain’.
A few groups flagellated themselves while some others made cuts with sharp objects such as knives and blades in remembrance of the martyrdom of Iman Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, in the battle of Karbala in Iraq centuries ago.
The Bibi-ka-Alam, which is believed to contain a holy relic, was taken out as usual on the back of a caparisoned elephant. Men, women and children lined along the procession route and surged ahead to offer ‘dhattis’ to the Alam as it passed by.
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Deputy Chief Minister Mohd. Mahmood Ali, Hyderabad Mayor Majid Hussain, GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar, Police Commissioner M Mahendar Reddy, and others offered `dhattis” to the Alam.
The police made elaborate security arrangements on the occasion. The procession started in the afternoon and wended its way through Kaman-e-Shaikh Faiz, Itebar Chowk, Kotla Alijah, Charminar, Purani Haveli, Darulshifa and ended at Chaderghat in the evening.