Assam to witness low-key Muharram with no 'tazia' procession

GUWAHATI: Assam will witness a low-key Muharram on Sunday, with no “tazia” procession and a gathering of not more than 20 people allowed at one place.
Even though the state has lockdowns during weekends, the state government has allowed a maximum of 20 people in a gathering for rituals linked with Muharram.
“We have given special permission for Muharram, allowing 20 people at a time. Whatever they want to do relating to the occasion at one place, is allowed with 20 people (maintaining health protocols). But procession is not allowed on Muharram this time,” Assam chief secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna said on Saturday.
Officials in the district administrations said according information available with them people are unlikely to take part any event this year.
In the previous years, “tazia” processions from various parts of the city used to culminate at the 100-year-old Guwahati Eidgah in Machkhowa here. But this year, the Eidgah committee has declared that no congregation will be allowed in the playground.
“Our Eidgah committee has already decided that there won't be any celebrations outside on Muharram this year. Except prayers at home, any other kind of celebration is unlikely,” said Imdad Hussain, secretary of the Guwahati Eidgah Committee.
The first 10 days of Muharram — the first month of the Islamic calendar — are observed by Muslims, which would culminate on Sunday commemorating the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson Imam Hussain in the battle of Karbala.
On Muharram, mourners offer prayers and observe fast as a part of the mourning. But this time, most people are going to confine themselves in their homes only.
A mosque committee member in city said though fewer population of Shias in the state has been a reason behind almost no opposition to the state government's directive to restrict processions, some other members of the community said Muslims in Assam have decided to extend full cooperation to the government like they did in Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-Ul-Fitr this year to maintain the Covid protocols.