Mumbai, September 20: The Mumbai Traffic Police has made elaborate arrangements for Muharram procession to ensure smooth flow of traffic and has made several traffic diversions to prevent inconvenience to commuters. In the backdrop of Muharram processions that will be taken out on Thursday, September 20, the state administration has announced massive route diversions to ensure that no untoward incident happens.

The procession of Shab-e-Shahadat (Qatal ki Raat) for Muharram is scheduled for 4 PM on Thursday. It will start from Nesbit Junction- Sofia Zuber Junction- Sir J J Junction- I R Road- Pakmodia Street and Jainbia Hall.  Muharram 1440 began on Wednesday, September 12 in India while the Ashura will fall 10 days later on September 21. Muharram 1440 Hijri: Muslims Welcome Islamic New Year, Date of Ashura in India is September 21

The Mumbai Police on Wednesday announced that the diversions will take place on North Bound, South Bound, Mandavi Junction and Noorbaug junction. In the northbound area, all the traffic coming from Chakala junction to proceed towards Sir J J Junction via Mohamed Ali Road will be diverted to P D’mello Road via Carnac Builder Bridge at Chakala Junction, half an hour before the procession. Muharram 2018: Date of Observance in Iran & Saudi Arabia, Relevance, Importance and Key Facts About the 1st Month of Islamic New Year

The route and diversions for the Muharram Procession are as follows:

On September 21, a procession of Ashura i.e. ‘Sham-e-Gariba’ for Muharram is scheduled from 2 PM on Friday on the following routes. It will start from Zainabia Hall- Pakmodia Street along Yakub Street, I R Road, Sir J J Junction, Sir J J Road, Nesbit Junction, Balwantsingh Dhodi bridge and terminates at Rehamatabad Cemetry at Mazgaon in Byculla.

Muslims will observe the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram by performing day-long fast, special prayers and mourning on Thursday. Reports inform that the Shia Muslims believe that the day is to commemorate the battle of Karbala, which was fought in 680AD between the ruler Yazid and Prophet Mohammed’s grandson Imam Hussain.

In Maharashtra, there was a lot of confusion, over a public holiday for Muharram. Reports inform that the state government will continue with its pre-announced holiday on Thursday but have allowed Muslim employees to take a day off (Casual leave or earned leave) to observe a day of mourning on Friday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2018 09:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).