SEOKeyword – Shia Procession Demand Grows as Srinagar Awaits Ashoora Route Decision
SEOKeyword – Thousands of Shia Muslims gathered in Srinagar on Wednesday to participate in the traditional 8th Muharram procession after receiving official permission, while community representatives once again appealed to the administration to restore the historic 10th Muharram procession route.
Thousands Join Peaceful 8th Muharram Procession
A large number of Shia devotees, including men, women, and children, took part in the traditional 8th Muharram procession across Srinagar. The procession followed its customary route from Guru Bazar through Budshah Kadal and M.A. Road before concluding at Dalgate. Participants, dressed in black, observed the occasion with religious chants and paid homage to Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, along with the martyrs of Karbala. The event concluded peacefully under extensive security arrangements deployed throughout the route.
Long-Standing Restrictions Continue on 10th Muharram Route
The traditional 8th and 10th Muharram processions in Srinagar were discontinued in 1990 following the rise of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2023, the Lieutenant Governor’s administration restored permission for the 8th Muharram procession after more than three decades. However, the historic 10th Muharram procession, also known as the Ashoora procession, continues to remain restricted on its original route.
Community Leaders Seek Restoration of Historic Procession
Following the successful completion of Wednesday’s procession, Shia leaders renewed their request for permission to organize the traditional 10th Muharram procession along its historic path from Abi Guzar in Lal Chowk to Zadibal in downtown Srinagar.
Prominent Shia leader Aga Syed Mujtaba said the community has consistently urged the administration to restore the Ashoora procession on its traditional route. He noted that while permission for the 8th Muharram procession has been granted over the past three years, the restriction on the 10th Muharram procession remains in place despite what he described as an improved security environment.
Administration Yet to Decide on Request
According to Mujtaba, an application requesting permission for the traditional Ashoora procession has already been submitted to the authorities. He said the community is now waiting for the administration’s decision ahead of Friday’s observance.
He also appreciated Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for allowing the revival of the 8th Muharram procession after decades of restrictions. Mujtaba expressed hope that the administration would extend the same approach by permitting the traditional 10th Muharram procession to take place along its historic route.
Alternative Processions Continue in Srinagar
In the absence of approval for the original route, members of the Shia community have continued to organize Ashoora processions through different localities within Srinagar. Community representatives say these arrangements have helped preserve religious observances, although they continue to seek the restoration of the historic procession route followed before the restrictions were introduced.
Another senior Shia leader, Masroor Abbas Ansari, said the community believes the administration can take the next step by approving the traditional Ashoora procession. He stated that previous governments had not restored the religious event, but expressed confidence that the present administration could permit the procession to conclude at Zadibal, in keeping with long-established practice.
Demand Remains Unchanged
The request to lift restrictions on the traditional 10th Muharram procession has remained one of the Shia community’s long-standing demands in Kashmir. Community leaders continue to hope that the administration will allow the historic route to be reopened while ensuring the event is conducted peacefully and under appropriate security arrangements.