A Muharram procession was held across Kashmir; CM Omar, LG Sinha join the mourners

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah joins Ashura processions at Zadibal in central Srinagar on Friday, June 26, 2026. | Photo credit: Imran Nissar

On Friday (June 26, 2026), Muharram processions were held across the Kashmir valley to mark ‘Ashura’ celebrations. The holiday commemorates the martyrdom of Hussain – the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad – who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in the 7th century. The mourners were joined by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Shia mourners gathered early in the morning at Srinagar’s Gulshan Bagh in Botakadal area and took part in processions leading to Zadibal in the old city. Mourners marched through the streets wailing and beating their breasts in mourning and reciting “marsiya” (elegy). Large processions were also held in Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Pulwama and Anantnag parts.

In Srinagar, black banners with Islamic slogans and pictures of the assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his son and current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei were erected across the old city. Religious processions in which women and children participated were conducted under multi-level security. The police issued a warning against posting flags with provocative slogans, texts, photos of terrorists or logos of banned organizations and posting anti-India or anti-governance slogans.

Shia Muslims take part in a religious procession to mark Ashura, the tenth day of the Islamic holy month of Muharram commemorating the seventh-century killing of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussain, in Srinagar on June 26, 2026. | Photo credit: Imran Nissar

Lessons learned from the sacrifice

Accompanied by Adviser Nasir Aslam Wani, ministers and legislators, Mr. Omar served mourners at Zadibal. “The sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain and the lessons we learn from this sacrifice are extremely important. If we forget these teachings, we will end up facing ruin and destruction,” Mr Abdullah said.

The chief minister said the historic Ashura procession, banned in the old city since the 1990s, would one day be resumed on its original traditional route. “The day will soon come when the Ashura procession will return to its original route,” he added.

Mr. Sinha, who also joined the procession in Zadibal, said, “I pay my humble tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions. Their supreme sacrifice for peace, love and compassion remains an eternal guide to building a society based on equality and harmony.”

Leaders of opposition parties also joined the processions.

Inspector General of Police VK Birdi appreciated the role of public and volunteers in conducting the Muharram processions peacefully. “The police have made special traffic and crowd management plans to ease movement through the congested lanes of the old city. Volunteers have been deployed and police protocols have been properly followed. We are very grateful to them,” Mr Birdi said.

Published – 26 Jun 2026 22:23 IST