SRINAGAR Thousands of fasting Muslims thronged shrines and Imambargahs on Monday to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS), one of the most revered icons of Islam.
Every year, on the 21st day of Ramazan, mourners gather in mosques and religious centers across many parts of the Muslim world to attend ceremonies commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of first Imam and fourth ‘Rightly Guided’ Caliph.
The biggest gathering was witnessed in Najaf al Ashraf, in Iraq, the resting place of Imam Ali. Iraqi officials said hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all across the world have assembled in the holy city to pay tributes to great companion of the Prophet of Islam (Pbuh). It was on the 19th of Ramazan 40 AH (27 January AD 661), Imam Ali was struck on the head with a poison-coated sword during the morning prayers in the Great Mosque of Kufa. He passed away two days later. The night preceding Imam Alis martyrdom is considered to be one of the threefold Qadr (Destiny) Nights, when the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) more than 14 centuries ago.
Muslims hold night-long vigils on Qadr Nights, reciting the holy Quran and praying until dawn.
In Kashmir major functions on the occasion were held at Hazratbal, Zadibal and Hassanabad in Srinagar, Mirgund in Baramulla and in Budgam town.
Large number of devout Muslims prayed at Hazratbal shrine and had glimpse of holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) after every congregational prayer there.
Thousands joined the procession at Mirgund, Pattan after veteran Shia leader Maulana Muhammad Abbas Ansari gave his sermon eulogizing the great personality and highlighting importance of his teachings for the present era. Maulana emphasized on the need for Muslims to study the heroic life of Hazrat Ali (AS) in order to come out of present chaos and confusion.
Peoples Conference leader and President Shia Association Imran Raza Ansari addressed a gathering at Zadibal Imambargah. He said that towering personality of Hazrat Ali had this honor of being born in the house of Allah Kabba – and also achieving his martyrdom in the house of Allah Masjid Kufa.
Later mourners took out a procession from Imambargah which culminated at the Mazar.
Similar commemorative functions were held at Budgam and Bemina by two factions of Anhjuman-e-Sharie Shiayan. Processions and night long prayer meets were held in villages across length and breadth ofKashmir, reports said.
In Ladakh division massive processions were brought out in Kargil, Zanskar and Leh.
In Kargil thousands of people joined a procession which began from Hawza Ilmiya after midday prayers. The procession swelled after smaller processions from Pashkum, Poyen, Baroo, Sodh, Minjee and other adjoining areas joined it. The procession passed through main Bazaar Kargil, Islamia School Chowk, Khomeni Chowk, Kalon Rahim Khan Chowk before culminating at Hawza again.
Mirwaiz pays tribute
Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Monday addressed a religious gathering at the revered Dastgeer Sahab (RA) shrine in Sarai Bala here, in connection with the Ashra-e-Najat and the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ali (AS).
Mirwiaz, who is the head of Mutahida Majlis Ulama, according to a statement issued, said that Imam Ali (AS) spent his entire life for the cause of Allah and Islam and followed the footprints of beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) till his martyrdom.
He said that Imam Ali (AS) earned fame for being born in the house of Allah, the Khana-e-Kabba and he was also martyred in a Masjid in Koofa.
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