No Muharram processions this year, majlis to be organized online- State Govt

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and its effects taking a toll on the normal lifestyle of millions over the globe, the governments of states like Delhi, Karnataka, Telangana and Jammu & Kashmir have ordered for no Muharram processions to be held within the borders. Along with this suspension, congregations for the mourning days are also banned.

The Shia Muslim community’s Muharram processions are a yearly affair where they march carrying the Alams or flags, depicting the sufferings of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his accompanies, in Karbala during the seventh century.

Mourners often harm themselves with sharp objects like knives and blades to grieve the loss of the Prophet’s grandson and his family during the battle with Yazid, the then King of the region who killed the kin because they refused to let Islam die down.

The supreme sacrifices of Imam Hussain and his family remain in the hearts of the Shias as they cry and organize ‘majlis’ to mourn and speak about the atrocities, which the clan was subjected to.

With the processions now suspended to keep everyone safe from the virus, the government has further issued a set of rules and guidelines to be followed during the mourning period which lasts for 2 months and 8 days, called as the months of Muharram, Safar and Rabi-Ul-Awal.

1. Sabeels, that are stalls or stations of free drinking water supply set up during these days, are permitted to only have 2 people present.
2. These stall presenters would need to offer water to people only in sealed bottles, also keeping note of the cleanliness and social distancing.
3. Any programme cannot involve the participation of more than four people.
4. Majlis will have to be organized online as opposed to the regular physical congregations according to the regulations.
5. Only sealed food items, be it raw or cooked, should be distributed among people, steering clear of any public food camps that involve food offering service to people in plates or serving dishes.
6. Management of every Ashoorkhana is asked to formulate the number of individuals who can partake in a religious program and displaying the same for people to make a note of it.
7. The management further needs to ascertain that the premises of the Ashoorkhana are thoroughly sanitized regularly to avoid any mishap.
8. To ensure the safety and protection of the senior citizens and children, they will not be allowed to be a part of the programs that require physical presence.
9. Mask, social distancing and hand washing must be made mandatory that ought to be strictly followed.
10. Mujawars/ Muthawallies/ Managing Committees are allowed to install the Alams in the respective Ashoorkhanas, however, the limit for the number of participants has to be 10 for ‘Fateha’ and 30-40 for majlis.

All the measures have ruled out to contain the growing spread of the coronavirus that has infected over 3 million people in the country, with the number jumping from 2 million to 3 million in a span of just 16 days.