By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: The traditional mehdi ka juloos to mark the martyrdom of Hazrat Qasim was taken out from Bada Imambara on Saturday. The procession is part of the Muharram mourning observed by Shia Muslims in old city of Lucknow.
As per the tradition, the procession originated from Bada Imambara and culminated at Chota Imambara. As per Qaiser Jaunpuri, an expert of Shia processions in Lucknow, the procession denotes the martyrdom of Hazrat Qasim, son of Imam Hasan. Hazrat Qasim was married to the daughter of Imam Hussain during Karbala incident nearly 1300 years ago. Hazrat Qasim achieved martyrdom during the Karbala.
Mehdi ka Juloos procession taken out by Shias on 3rd Dec. 2011 in Lucknow
The procession marks the marriage of Hazrat Qasim who was only 13 years of age at the time of his martyrdom. The procession included all the paraphernalia as in a Muslim marriage. It was also accompanied by band which played sad tunes and anjumans who performed matam and recited marsiya.
Lucknow district administrative officials and heavy police force including paramilitary forces were deputed on every nook and corner of the route during the procession. The procession is part of the nine processions of Shia Muslims permitted as per the tripartite agreement with Sunni Muslims.