MEHADI PROCESSION TAKEN OUT

MEHADI PROCESSION TAKEN OUT

24-JUNE-ENG 17

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------On Tuesday, the 7th of Muharram, a mourning procession known as "Mehdi's Procession"—dedicated to the martyrs of Karbala—was taken out from the Deputy Sher Ali Imambargah located at Mahadeva Mahajan Toli No. 1 in Ara city. This procession was organized in the city on behalf of the late Ahmed Hussain. Starting from Mahadeva Road, the procession traversed Dharman Chowk, Gopali Chowk, Sheeshmahal Chowk, Syndicate Imambargah, and Bichli Road, before returning to Dharman Chowk and concluding at the Deputy Sher Ali Imambargah on Mahadeva Road.

The tradition of this procession dates back approximately 200 years. It commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his 72 companions at Karbala, with a special focus on the memory of Hazrat Qasim (AS). His martyrdom was particularly brutal; his body was torn into pieces, and Imam Hussain had to gather the fragments in a sheet to bring them back to the tent, where everyone mourned his sacrifice.

During the procession, *Nauhas* (elegies) are recited, and acts of mourning (*Matam*) are performed in memory of the Karbala martyrs. Members of the Shia community, dressed in green, observe this day of mourning by performing *Matam* and reciting *Nauhas* to commemorate the tragic event. People from all communities also participate in the procession and extend their full support in remembering this solemn occasion.

Many individuals participated in the procession, including Syed Abid Bilgrami, Syed Kazim Hussain, Prof. Syed Ejaz Hussain, Syed Abid Hussain, Syed Shabbir Hasan, Syed Aqeel Haider, Qamar Haider, Dr. Kaunain Raza, Syed Waris Bilgrami, Yawar Hussain, Shadab Hussain, Faraz Hussain, and Laddan Ansari. People from all faiths—including Guddu Ansari, Uma Shankar Ojha (social activist), Amit Ranjan (advocate), Anjani Sinha, and Bir Bahadur—played a significant role in organizing the procession.