https://arab.news/mdm7e
- Ashura, 10th day of Islamic month of Muharram, is the holiest event in the Shia Muslim calendar
- It commemorates the 7th century death of Imam Hussain and his companions in Battle of Karbala
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has announced a two-day public holiday on July 16 and 17 on account of Ashura, the Cabinet Division announced on Monday.
Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, is the holiest event in the Shia Muslim calendar and commemorates the 7th century death of Imam Hussain and his companions.
The event sees hundreds of thousands of Shia Muslims take part in religious gatherings and processions in the South Asian country to mourn the passing of Imam Hussain.
“The Prime Minister has been pleased to declare 16th and 17th July, 2024 (Tuesday and Wednesday) as public holidays on the occasion of Ashura (9th and 10th Moharram 1446 AH),” the Cabinet Division said in a notification.
The Muharram processions and gatherings take place amid tight security as militant groups in Pakistan have often targeted them in the past and killed of hundreds of people.
Last week, Pakistan’s interior ministry said it had not made any decision on requests by provinces to suspend Internet service to ensure security in Muharram.
Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province also proposed a ban on all social media platforms for six days due to security concerns regarding thousands of religious processions.