Hyderabad: Most of the ashoorkhanas in the city have been readied for the congregational events marking Sehra-e-Mubarak. On this day, Shia Muslims install ‘Alam’ in ashoorkhanas, ahead of the Moharram month.
One of the most popular is the ‘Badshahi ashoorkhana’ near Madina, where the organisers have refurbished the premises, including the chandeliers, which were brought from Persia (the present-day Iran).
According to mutawalli Mir Abbas Ali Moosvi, who is the eleventh generation custodian of this ashoorkhana, the faithful started coming from Saturday. The numbers will rise by the day, he said.
Jahan Bano, a resident of Noor Khan Bazaar, “Sehra e Mubarak is a preparation day for the Moharram month. On this day most of the families take out alam (holy flag carried by Hazrat Imam Hussain for the battle).”
According to Ali Raza, president, Seerat-e-Zehra, which is one of the oldest Shia committees in the city, “It is mostly in the Old City that many processions are taken out. The faithful offer flowers ‘shera’ at the ashoorkhana. This is observed a day before the Moharram month commences.”
