Latest news with #Bibi-ka-Alam
Hans India
6 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Thousands of Muslims mark Ashura with solemnity, remorse
Hyderabad: Hyderabad observed 'Youm-e-Ashura', the 10th day of the Islamic month Moharram with due solemnity, somberness and mourning in remembrance of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain, his family and companions in the battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Amid tight security, thousands of Shia Muslims took part in the historic 'Bibi-ka-Alam' procession in Old City on Sunday. Hyderabad Deccan is one of the prominent cities in India where there is a long tradition of Moharram mourning. 'Bibi-ka-Alam' attracts attention as the most visible Alam (replica) of the Deccan's tradition, there are numerous other places or Ashoorkhanas where alams are installed and people in thousands throng them. It was all black and blood as a mood of Shia Muslims mourning and passing through the lanes in the Old City, where the Bibi-ka-Alam, the traditional mourning procession was taken from Bibi-ka-Alawa in Dabeerpura to Masjid-e-Ilahi in Chaderghat near Musi on an elephant 'Lakshmi' which was brought from Karnataka. En route the procession, amid cries of 'Ya Hussain' and recitation of Marsiyas (elegies) and Nuoha-khwani (poems expressing sorrow), the barefoot self-flagellating with chains and swords in remembrance of the Martyrs. Water and juices made-up of milk and jaggery were distributed from the water sabeels set up at various places in the Old City, which has the second highest population of Shia Muslims in the country after Lucknow. Bibi-ka-Alawa houses the Alam, believed to contain a piece of wooden plank on which Prophet Mohammed's daughter Bibi Fatima Zehra, was given the final ablution, was carried on caparisoned elephant. Historically, the 'Alam' was brought from Karbala to Hyderabad during the reign of Qutub Shahi dynasty. The Alam was preserved in the calligraphy with Arabic lettering of Allah, Prophet Mohammed and Hazrath Imam Ali. It was later covered with an alloy of metals and gold. Six green pouches in the shape of earrings containing precious gems were secured on both sides of the Alam, which is kept under the strict vigil of the police security. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said that Moharram symbolises sacrifice and tolerance. In a message to mark the Youm-e-Ashura, the Chief Minister said that Moharram serves as a bridge for unity and harmony among people, regardless of their caste and religion. Starting from Bibi-ka-Alawa in Dabeerpura the procession passed through Yakutpura, it stopped at the Ashoorkhana 'Khadam-e-Rasool' where the footprints of Prophet Mohammed are displayed. The next stop was at Peeli gate in Purani Haveli, where one of the members of the Nizam's family offered 'Dhatti' to the Alam and it concluded at Chaderghat. The Nizam IX, Nawab Mir Mohammed Azmet Ali Khan offered traditional 'Dhatti' and 'Nazrana' to Bibi-ka-Alam. The Hyderabad City police commissioner CV Anand along with the other police officers offered Datti to the Alam near Charminar and remained with the procession, till it passed from the historic Charminar. Over 3,000 police personnel along with the RAF were deployed along the Alam's route to keep vigil of the precious gems mounted on the elephant along with Alam. A medical emergency was also deployed during the mourning procession.
Hans India
6 days ago
- General
- Hans India
‘Bibi-Ka-Alam' passes off peacefully in Hyderabad
The historic 'Bibi-ka-Alam' procession passed off peacefully in the old city of Hyderabad amid tight security as solemnity and mourning marked 'Yaum-e-Ashura' on Sunday. Thousands of people participated in the procession, which started from Bibi Ka Alawa in a traditional manner and concluded at Chaderghat on the banks of the Musi River after passing through various parts of the old city. The procession passed through Sheikh Faiz Kaman, Yakutpura Darwaza, Etebar Chowk, Charminar, Gulzar Houz, Panjeshah, Mani Mir Alam, Purani Haveli and Darulshifa. The 'Bibi ka Alam' was carried on a caparisoned elephant, brought from Karnataka. The organisers arranged the elephant belonging to the Sri Karibasaveshwara Mutt in Karnataka after the Telangana Forest Department refused to allow an elephant earlier identified by organisers in Delhi, citing animal welfare concerns and transport regulations. 'Yaum-e-Ashura' or the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is observed in memory of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussain and his followers at the battle of Karbala. The gold-and-diamond-studded 'alam' or standard is believed to contain a piece of wooden plank on which Bibi Fatima Zehra, daughter of Prophet Mohammed, was given the final ablution. The 'alam' was installed over 430 years ago during the Qutub Shahi dynasty, and the practice of carrying the 'alam' on an elephant has been continuing since then. For several years, elephants from the Nehru Zoological Park were used for the annual procession. However, after the courts refused permission for the use of captive elephants for religious processions, the organisers have been bringing elephants from other states. Last year, an elephant belonging to the Shri Jagadguru Panchacharya Mandir Trust in Karnataka was brought for the procession. Groups of self-flagellating mourners were leading the procession. Blood oozed out from the heads and chests of bare-chested Shia mourners who flagellated themselves with sharp-edged objects. Amid cries of 'Ya Hussain' and recitation of 'marsiya' (elegies) and 'noha-khwani' (poems expressing sorrow), barefoot youths using knives, blade-encrusted chains and other sharp-edged weapons, inflicted injuries on themselves to show solidarity with the sufferings of the martyrs. Others were seen crying and beating their chests. The police made elaborate security arrangements with the deployment of over 3,000 personnel. Policemen on horses were seen piloting the procession. Traffic was diverted at a few points for the annual procession. Top government officials, Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand, leaders of different political parties and family members of Nizam, ruler of the erstwhile Hyderabad State, offered 'dhattis' en route to the procession. The Police Commissioner personally supervised the security arrangements from the historic Charminar. He provided timely instructions to all officers to ensure the procession proceeded smoothly. On behalf of the Hyderabad City Police, Anand offered 'Dhattis' to the 'alam' at Charminar. Over 3,000 police personnel provided robust security for the Bibi Ka Alam procession. Thanks to proactive planning and all necessary measures taken, the Bibi Ka Alam procession concluded peacefully without any untoward incidents, the police chief said. The Sunni Muslims observed the day by fasting and holding meetings to remember the sacrifices of Imam Hussain and his followers, who were martyred in 61 Hijri or 681 CE at Karbala in present-day Iraq. The fasting is observed on two days – the ninth and 10th or the 10th and 11th Muharram.
Hans India
6 days ago
- General
- Hans India
‘Bibi-Ka-Alam' procession underway in Hyderabad amid tight security
The historic 'Bibi-ka-Alam' procession was underway in the old city of Hyderabad amid tight security as solemnity and mourning marked 'Yaum-e-Ashura' on Sunday. Thousands of people were participating in the procession, which started from Bibi Ka Alawa in a traditional manner. The procession passes through various parts of the old city before concluding at Chaderghat on the banks of the Musi River after sunset. The 'Bibi ka Alam' was carried on a caparisoned elephant, brought from Karnataka. The elephant 'Lakshmi' stopped at a couple of places, leading to a slowdown of the procession. The procession will pass through Sheikh Faiz Kaman, Yakutpura Darwaza, Etebar Chowk, Charminar, Gulzar Houz, Panjeshah, Mani Mir Alam, Purani Haveli, and Darulshifa. The organisers arranged the elephant belonging to the Sri Karibasaveshwara Mutt in Karnataka after the Telangana Forest Department refused to allow an elephant earlier identified by organisers in Delhi, citing animal welfare concerns and transport regulations. 'Yaum-e-Ashura' or 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is observed in memory of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussain and his followers at the battle of Karbala. The gold-and-diamond-studded 'alam' or standard is believed to contain a piece of wooden plank on which Bibi Fatima Zehra, daughter of Prophet Mohammed, was given the final ablution. The 'alam' was installed over 430 years ago during the Qutub Shahi dynasty, and the practice of carrying it on an elephant has been continuing since then. For several years, the elephants from the Nehru Zoological Park were used for the annual procession. However, after the courts refused permission for the use of captive elephants for religious processions, the organisers have been bringing elephants from other states. Last year, an elephant belonging to the Shri Jagadguru Panchacharya Mandir Trust in Karnataka was brought for the procession. Groups of self-flagellating mourners were leading the procession. Blood oozed out from the heads and chests of bare-chested Shia mourners who flagellated themselves with sharp-edged objects. Amid cries of 'Ya Hussain' and recitation of 'marsiya' (elegies) and 'noha-khwani' (poems expressing sorrow), barefoot youths using knives, blade-encrusted chains and other sharp-edged weapons, inflicted injuries on themselves to show solidarity with the sufferings of the martyrs. Others were seen crying and beating their chests. The police made elaborate security arrangements and deployed around 2,000 personnel. Policemen on horses were seen piloting the procession. Traffic was diverted at a few points for the annual procession. Top government officials, the Hyderabad Police Commissioner, leaders of different political parties and family members of Nizam, ruler of erstwhile Hyderabad State, offered 'dhattis' en route the procession. The Sunni Muslims observed the day by fasting and holding meetings to remember the sacrifices of Imam Hussain and his followers, who were martyred in 61 Hijri or 681 CE at Karbala in present-day Iraq. The fasting is observed on two days – ninth and 10th or the 10th and 11th Muharram.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Police gear up for Muharram procession
In a high-level coordination meeting held on Tuesday, the Hyderabad police outlined extensive security, traffic management and civic measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of the annual Muharram procession, particularly the Bibi-ka-Alam event scheduled for July 6 or 7, subject to the sighting of the crescent moon. Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand detailed key provisions including the deployment of crime teams from all police stations, dedicated police platoons, and She Teams, with a specific emphasis on preventing eve-teasing and maintaining order throughout the procession route. Speaking at the meeting at Salarjung Museum, the official emphasised the importance of proactive inter-departmental collaboration. The official also addressed specific concerns raised by community representatives. Regarding the elephant that participates in the Bibi-ka-Alam procession, he advised it be brought into the city two to three days in advance to ensure it is well-rested. To ease movement and avoid congestion, police have planned sufficient vehicle parking and traffic diversions. The meeting was attended by senior police officials, elected representatives including MLAs, and an MLC, Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmathullah Hussain, religious scholars Moulana Nissar Hussain and Moulana Waheeduddin Hyder Jaffri, and other key civic and technical department heads. However, the meeting also drew criticism from an important group of stakeholders — the caretakers of Hyderabad's historic ashoorkhanas. In a statement issued after the meeting, they expressed dissatisfaction over their exclusion from the official platform. 'Unfortunately, the Mirchowk Division of South Zone Police did not properly invite us, the caretakers of ashoorkhanas, who are the main stakeholders in Muharram. We were not given the opportunity to share the stage or raise our concerns,' the statement read. The statement continued, 'We're not buying their last-minute, half-hearted efforts to appease the community. No more 'eye wash'! Our decision to boycott their meetings is a testament to our unity and resolve.' They called upon the police commissioner to organise a separate coordination meeting directly with ashoorkhana caretakers, adding that they were willing to cooperate fully with the police in ensuring a smooth and respectful observance of Muharram.
