ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) – The Government of Pakistan has announced holidays on the account of Ashoora on Muharram 9 and 10 (October 23 and October 24).
In a notification issued on Wednesday, the federal government said that all public sector offices and educational institutions will remain closed Friday and Saturday.
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On Tuesday, the Sindh government also announced two holiday on Ashura besides a ban on pillion riding from Muharram 7 to Muharram 10 (October 22 to October 24).
Ashura is commemorated by Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at the Battle of Karbala on 10 Muharram in the year 61 AH.
The massacre of Imam Hussain with small group of his companions and family members had great impact on the religious conscience of Muslims. The day has ever been remembered sorrow and passion.
In Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Pakistan, the commemoration of Imam Hussain has become a national holiday.
Even in a predominantly Hindu majority but secular country like India, Ashura (10th day in the month of Muharram) is a public holiday due to the presence of a significant Indian Shia Muslim population (2-3% of total population, 20-25% of Indian Muslim population).
