By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Scores of Shia Muslims staged demonstration at Dargah Hazrat Abbas on Thursday demanding public holiday on 21st Ramzan to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali. Earlier, during the regime of Mulayam Singh Yadav the birth anniversary of Hazrat Ali on 13 Rajab has been declared a public holiday across the state of Uttar Pradesh.
The protest was organised by Hussaini Mission whose members claimed that Hazrat Ali is revered by all the Muslims. The martyrdom of Hazrat Ali is observed with great sanctity by all the Muslims. It is thus pertinent that government should declare public holiday to commemorate the martyrdom. Hazrat Ali, the fourth Caliph of Muslims and also son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad was fatally injured on 19th day of Ramzan and later succumbed to his injuries on 21st Ramzan. At Lucknow, the Shia Muslims take out processions on both the days to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali. The processions are part of the tripartite agreement between district administration, Sunnis and Shias of Lucknow.