When is Muharram 2025: Know Date, History, Significance And Rituals
Muharram 2025: Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, and holds significant importance in Islam. Muharram is considered the second-holiest month in the Islamic calendar after Ramadan. It is one of the four sacred months in Islam, during which fighting and violence are generally prohibited.
Muharram 2025 date:
In India, the crescent Moon was sighted on June 26, and the first day of Muharram-Ul-Haram will begin on June 27 (Friday), as declared by the Masjid-e-Nakhoda Markazi Rooyat-e-Hilal Committee. Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, will be observed on Sunday, July 6.
Muharram History and Significance:
For Shia Muslims, Muharram is a period of mourning to commemorate the death of Hazrat Imam Hussain, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. Shia Muslims often participate in processions, recite poetry and engage in acts of self-mortification to express their grief and devotion, some even in self-flagellation to recreate the suffering experienced by Imam Hussain. Meanwhile, Sunni Muslims observe the day by fasting and offering prayers.
Muharram is an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on their actions, seek forgiveness and renew their commitment to their faith. The month also brings Muslims together, fostering a sense of community and unity as they observe various rituals and traditions.
What did J&K CM Omar Abdullah say?
Last week, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level review meeting to assess and finalise preparations for Muharram. He said, "We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts, and there should be no shortcomings from our side."
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Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Omar Abdullah vows to make Jammu and Kashmir a premier golf destination
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said his government is committed to make Jammu and Kashmir as one of the premier golf destinations in the country. The chief minister made these remarks during a prize distribution ceremony held here, where the winners and runners-up of the day's golf tournament were felicitated. Earlier this morning, Abdullah joined golfers to tee off the tournament at the Royal Springs Golf Course, which saw participation from eminent golfers from across the country, including former chief minister Farooq Abdullah Welcoming the golfers to Kashmir, the chief minister said that their presence was highly encouraging. He also expressed his gratitude to Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) for organizing the Golf Tournament and tourism stakeholders' interaction in Kashmir. "It is very reassuring for us to see you all here. There is no doubt that your presence goes a long way in reinforcing what we are trying to do, which is essentially to bring tourism back on track after it had derailed," Abdullah said. Reflecting on the recent challenges, the chief minister acknowledged the apprehensions tourists may have felt following the Pahalgam tragedy. "I understand why people would be afraid to visit. I understand the impact of the visuals from Pahalgam on the psyche of those who would otherwise not think twice about coming here," he said. "That is why your presence here carries immense significance, the message you take back with you amplifies what we are trying to achieve, in ways perhaps we cannot," he added. Highlighting the power of word-of-mouth communication, Abdullah said the impressions shared by visitors hold greater weight than official statements. "If I speak about Jammu and Kashmir as a tourism destination, my words will naturally be seen through the lens of a local. But when you return home and share your experiences here, the impact is far greater," he said. "I am not being frivolous when I say this. We truly hope each one of you goes back as ambassadors of J-K conveying that although the region has faced a difficult few months, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and better days lie ahead," he added. On the development of golf infrastructure, Abdullah assured the gathering that all necessary efforts will be made to provide world-class golfing facilities in both Jammu and Kashmir valley. Referring to the recent tournament held in Gulmarg, he shared that for the first time in over a decade, we were able to organize a small, locally-participated golf tournament using nine holes. By August or September, we hope to have all 18 holes operational. Work on the greens is underway, he said. "Similarly, we will continue to enhance the quality of golf courses in Srinagar and Jammu. Rest assured, we are committed to ensuring that each time you return, you experience an improved game and setting, he added.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Zohran Mamdani's political upset gives hope to many South Asian Americans, Muslims
The success of Zohran Mamdani in New York City's Democratic primary for mayor is euphoric for Hari Kondabolu, a stand-up comedian who's been friends with the candidate for 15 years. Supporters and pundits agree that Zohran Mamdani's campaign has demonstrated social media savvy and authenticity.(AP) Mamdani stunned the political establishment when he declared victory in the primary on Tuesday, a ranked choice election in which his strongest competition, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, conceded defeat. When he launched his campaign, the unabashed democratic socialist ranked near the bottom of the pack. Now, the 33-year-old state assemblyman has a chance to be New York City's first Asian American and Muslim mayor. Mamdani's family came to the United States when he was 7, and he became a citizen in 2018. He was born to Indian parents in Kampala, Uganda. For Kondabolu, this moment is not just exciting, but emotional. 'I think so many of us have had those experiences in New York of being brown and in a city that has always been really diverse and feels like ours. But after 9/11, like you start to question it like, is this our city too,' Kondabolu said. 'And 25 years later ... it's surreal, like this is the same city but it's not because we've elected this person.' Mamdani's campaign has piqued the interest of many Indian, Pakistani and other South Asian Americans, as well as Muslims — even those who may not agree with Mamdani on every issue. Despite that opposition, some still see his rise as a sign of hope in a city where racism and xenophobia erupted following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. South Asians and Muslims riveted by primary in New York, and beyond Many of New York City's over 300,000 South Asian residents have been inspired by Mamdani's extraordinary trajectory. 'My mom was texting her friends to vote for him. I've never seen my mother do that before,' Kondabolu said. 'So the idea that it's gotten our whole family activated in this way — this is, like, personal.' Snigdha Sur, founder and CEO of The Juggernaut, an online publication reporting on South Asians, has been fascinated by the response from some people in India and the diaspora. 'So many global South Asians ... they're like, 'Oh, this guy is my mayor and I don't live in New York City,'' Sur said. At the same time, some are also concerned or angered by Mamdani's past remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he publicly called a 'war criminal.' In 2005, the U.S. revoked Modi's visa to the U.S., citing concerns that, as chief minister of the state of Gujarat, he did not act to stop communal violence during 2002 anti-Muslim riots that left more than 1,000 people dead. An investigation approved by the Indian Supreme Court later absolved Modi. Rights groups have accused Modi's government of widespread attacks and discrimination against India's Muslims and other minorities. In Michigan, Thasin Sardar has been following Mamdani's ascent online. When he first heard him, he struck him as 'genuine' and he felt 'an instant connection,' he said. 'As a Muslim American, this victory puts my trust back in the people,' said Sardar, who was born and raised in India. 'I am happy that there are people who value the candidate and his policies more than his personal religious beliefs and didn't vote him down because of the color of his skin, or the fact that he was an immigrant with an uncommon name.' New York voter Zainab Shabbir said family members in California, and beyond, have also excitedly taken note. 'My family in California, they were very much like, 'Oh, it's so nice to see a South Asian Muslim candidate be a mayor of a major city,'' she said. A brother told her Mamdani's rise is a great example for his kids, she said. But the 34-year-old — who donated, voted and canvassed for Mamdani — said it was his vision for New York City that was the draw for her. She and her husband briefly chatted with Mamdani at a fundraiser and she found him to be 'very friendly and genuine.' She suspects that for some who aren't very politically active, Mamdani's political ascent could make a difference. 'There's a lot of Muslim communities like my parents' generation who are focused a lot more on the politics back home and less on the politics here in America,' said Shabbir. 'Seeing people like Zohran Mamdani be in office, it'll really change that perspective in a lot of people.' Embracing Indian and Muslim roots Supporters and pundits agree that Mamdani's campaign has demonstrated social media savvy and authenticity. He visited multiple mosques. In videos, he speaks in Hindi or gives a touch of Bollywood. Other South Asian American politicians such as Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna praised that. 'I love that he didn't run away from his heritage. I mean, he did video clips with Amitabh Bachchan and Hindi movies,' Khanna said, referencing the Indian actor. 'He shows that one can embrace their roots and their heritage and yet succeed in American politics.' But his triumph also reflects 'the urgency of the economic message, the challenge that people are facing in terms of rent, in terms of the cost of living, and how speaking to that is so powerful,' the progressive California Democrat added. Tanzeela Rahman, a daughter of Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, said she grew up 'very low income' in New York. 'I felt seen by him in a way politicians have not seen me ever,' the 29-year-old financial systems analyst said. 'I think very few people in government understand … how hard it is to survive in New York City.' She found Mamdani to be 'unabashedly Muslim' and also 'a voice, who, literally, to me sounds like a New Yorker who's stepping in and saying, hey, let's reclaim our power,' she said. While Mamdani has been speaking to the working class, he had a somewhat privileged upbringing. His mother is filmmaker Mira Nair and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a professor at Columbia University. He lived in Queens but attended The Bronx High School of Science. Even as a teen, he cared about social justice, Kondabolu, the comedian, recalled. His campaign messaging on issues such as affordable housing and free bus rides might not resonate with South Asian households in New York City who have income levels above the median. But, the irony is that his campaign and 'great kind of soundbites' earned support from that demographic, too, according to Sur. 'It was, I think, a surprise that he did so well among the wealthiest, including his own community,' Sur said. Mamdani's outspoken support for Palestinian causes and criticism of Israel and its military campaign in Gaza resonated with pro-Palestinian residents, including Muslims, but caused tension in the mayor's race. Some of his positions and remarks on the charged issue have drawn recriminations from opponents and some Jewish groups, though he's also been endorsed by some Jewish politicians and activists. Racism and xenophobia Mamdani's success immediately elicited strong anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric from some high-profile conservatives on social media, including conservative media personality Charlie Kirk who posted that 'legal immigration can ruin your country.' In response, Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of Congress, tweeted 'For years they sold people the lie of 'we have no problem if you come the right way!'' His supporters aren't concerned that racism and Islamophobia will distract from Mamdani's campaign. Those feelings clearly weren't 'enough for him to lose' the primary, Kondabolu said. 'There's a new generation that wants their voice heard and that generation came out in full force, not just by voting, but by, like, getting all these other people to be emotionally invested in this candidate,' Kondabolu said. 'That's extraordinary.'
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Bihar becomes first state to conduct e-voting via app
Patna: Bihar on Saturday became the first state in the country to conduct municipal elections using cellphone voting through the e-SECBHR and C-DAC apps, in 42 municipalities across 26 districts. Vibha Devi and Munna Kumar from Pakridayal in East Champaran became the first woman and man, respectively, to cast their vote through the mobile app. Elections were held in six municipal councils and byelections took place in 36 wards for vacant posts. According to the State Election Commission, 69.49% of the 2,94,719 eligible voters exercised their franchise through e-voting at 489 polling booths across 26 districts. The last date to register for app-based voting was June 22. Only those who registered in advance were eligible to vote. Reports confirmed participation from migrant voters living in Dubai and Qatar. "This facility is meant for those unable to reach polling stations due to physical or locational reasons," said state election commissioner Deepak Prasad. Meanwhile, training workshops were held in Bettiah for all booth level officers (BLOs), their supervisors, and district-level officials to support the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The revision is intended to verify the eligibility of every elector ahead of the assembly elections.
