Muharram processions were held across the Kashmir valley on Friday (June 26, 2026) to mark ‘Ashura’. The solemn day commemorates the martyrdom of Hussain – the grandson of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad – who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in the 7th century. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah joined the mourners.  

Shia mourners assembled early in the morning at Srinagar’s Gulshan Bagh in Botakadal area and took part in the processions leading up to Zadibal in the old city. The mourners marched through the streets as they wailed and performed chest beating in a show of grief and recited ‘marsiya’ (elegy). Major processions were also held in parts of Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Pulwama and Anantnag.

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. The religious processions, attended by women and children, were carried out under multi-tier security. The police had issued an advisory against hoisting of flags with provocative slogans, texts, photographs of terrorists or logos of banned organisations and against raising anti-India or anti-administration slogans.

Lessons from sacrifice

Mr. Omar, accompanied by adviser Nasir Aslam Wani, Ministers and legislators, served refreshments to the mourners at Zadibal. “The sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain and the lessons we derive from that sacrifice are of immense importance. When we forget those teachings, we end up facing destruction and ruin,” said Mr. Abdullah.

The Chief Minister said that the historic Ashura procession, banned in the old city since the 1990s, would one day be restored to its original traditional route . “The day will soon come when the Ashura procession returns to its original route,” he added.

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

Leaders of Opposition parties also joined the processions.  

Inspector General of Police V.K. Birdi praised the role of the public and volunteers in the peaceful conduct of Muharram processions. “The police had made special traffic and crowd management plans to ease movement through the congested lanes of the old city. Volunteers were deployed, and police protocols were duly followed. We are very grateful to them,” said Mr. Birdi.