SHILLONG, July 6: The Muslim community in Shillong came together on Sunday to solemnly observe Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar and a sacred period of mourning that commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain — the revered grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
Marking the beginning of the Islamic New Year, the day was imbued with sorrow and spiritual reflection, particularly among the city’s Shia population. Muharram holds profound significance as it remembers the Battle of Karbala, where Imam Hussain and his companions laid down their lives in the struggle against tyranny and injustice — an event etched deeply in Islamic consciousness.
Clad in black as a symbol of mourning, devotees gathered in key localities such as Laban, Mawbah (Barapathar), and Mawprem to participate in ‘tazia’ processions replicas of Imam Hussain’s mausoleum carried through the streets. Accompanied by rhythmic drumbeats, chants of “Ya Hussain,” and the recitation of ‘marsiyas’ and ‘nohas’, the processions reflected the grief and reverence associated with the occasion.
The processions were conducted with discipline and under close supervision. Organisers ensured that the sombre spirit of the day was maintained while reiterating the timeless messages of sacrifice, faith, and communal harmony. No incidents were reported during the observances, and the entire event unfolded peacefully.
Shillong’s longstanding tradition of mutual respect and interfaith understanding was once again on display, with residents from other communities observing the processions in quiet solidarity — further affirming the city’s legacy of religious tolerance.
