The Holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hossain Ibn Ali (RA), a grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), was observed in Chattogram and its adjacent areas on Tuesday.
On the 10th of Muharram in the Hijri year 61, Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA), a grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and followers died by the soldiers of Yazid at the battle of Karbala on the bank of Euphrates in Iraq.
Shi'a Muslims brought out a procession known as 'Tazia' from Andarkilla area in the port city.
The Tazia processions paraded the different streets chanting "Hai Hussain, Hai Hussain.
In the processions, the Shi'a Muslims expressed mourning and grief by flagellating themselves on the back with chains, beating their heads intending to connect them with the sufferings of Imam Hussain (RA).
Pilgrims mostly dressed in black, blared traditional Ashura chants through loudspeakers.
Various religious organisations and political parties have also chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.
During the ceremony, the Shia beat their heads and chests and gash their heads with swords to show their grief and echo the suffering of Imam Hussein.
Besides, most Muslim families in the port city offered Fatheha to mark the day.
According to Islamic history, a disagreement among Muslims on the question of succession after the demise of Hazrat Ali, the fourth caliph, resulted in the Karbala tragedy.
Moreover, Imam Hossain (RA) and his fellows were ambushed by the forces of Yazid on a journey towards Kufa. They were deprived of food and water, and many of them were put to death and eventually, Imam Hossain (RA) was brutally slaughtered.