It is that time of the year when an atmosphere of grief envelopes parts of the old city of Hyderabad, as loudspeakers from dozens of ashurkhanas blare 'marsiye' (elegies) and 'nohay' (poems expressing sorrow).
Ashurkhanas are community spaces where Shia Muslims gather for mourning during Muharram.
Ashurkhanas derive their name from ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, which is also the climax of the period of mourning that marks Muharram, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali, grandson of prophet Mohammed, in the Battle of Karbala 14 centuries ago.
This year, ashura falls on Sunday.
The sermons by zakirs (Shia clerics), describing the events of Karbala, amid cries and beating of chests by mourners create a pall of gloom in Darulshifa, Noor Khan Bazar, Purani Haveli and the surrounding localities in Hyderabad... Andhrareporter
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