Ashura Celebration in Dhaka, Bangladesh

 

Ashura celebration has already started in certain parts of Dhaka city including Mirpur, Mohammadpur, old Dhaka etc although officially Ashura will be observed on next Sunday i.e. 6 July, 2025.

 Ashura in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a significant religious observance, particularly for Shia Muslims, marked by mourning and reverence rather than celebration. It occurs on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, which in 2025 is expected to fall on July 6. The day commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, symbolizing sacrifice and resistance against oppression for Shia Muslims.

Observances in Dhaka Tazia Processions: 

The Shia community organizes solemn processions, notably the Tazia procession starting from the historic Hussaini Dalan Imambara in Old Dhaka. These processions involve mourners wearing black, chanting, and carrying replicas of Husayn’s tomb (Tazia).

Mourning Rituals: 

Shia Muslims engage in mourning rituals, including recitations of elegies, sermons recounting the Battle of Karbala, and expressions of grief through chest-beating or, in some cases, self-flagellation, though the latter is increasingly discouraged by Shia leaders.


Media Coverage: 

Bangladesh Betar (radio), Bangladesh Television, and private channels broadcast special programs, while newspapers publish supplements highlighting Ashura’s significance.

Sunni Observance: While primarily a Shia mourning event, some Sunni Muslims in Dhaka participate by fasting, commemorating events like Moses’ parting of the Red Sea or Noah’s departure from the Ark. Some Sunnis historically join Shia rituals, reflecting inter-sect solidarity.

Historical Contex of Ashura celebration in Dhaka, Bangladesh:

The Hussaini Dalan, a 400-year-old Imambara, remains a central site for Ashura observances, drawing both locals and visitors reflecting on Karbala’s tragedy.

Significance

For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a somber day of grief, symbolizing the eternal struggle between good and evil. For Sunnis, it’s often a day of fasting and gratitude for historical events like the Israelites’ salvation. The day is a public holiday in Bangladesh, reflecting its cultural and religious importance.

The exact date depends on the moon sighting, determined by the National Moon Sighting Committee, which meets to confirm the start of Muharram.

Posts on X mention traffic advisories and restrictions during the Tazia procession, indicating significant community and administrative involvement.

Emergency phone numbers of Bangladesh

Following are some important emergency phone numbers of Bangladesh:

999 - National Emergency Number: 999 is the National Emergency Service number which provides toll-free, 24/7 access to Police, Fire, and Ambulance services. Dialing 999 will connect you to a centralized call center that will forward you to the appropriate emergency response based on your location and needs. 999 is the most popular and widely used emergency phone number in Bangladesh. 

 

The 999 emergency call center can be reached using the 'BD 999' mobile app as well.

 

• 102 / 16163 - Fire Service Department: In any fire incident please call 102 to get immediate help from the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department (FSCD). FSCD is also reachable through 999 call center. Do not use 102 or 16163 anymore. Instead use the national emergency number 999 for reporting any fire incident.

• 109 - Women and Children Helpline: 109 is the Violence Against Women and Children Helpline, a toll-free, 24/7 service for reporting and seeking assistance related to violence, abuse, or harassment against women and children. It provides immediate support, counseling, and guidance, connecting callers to relevant authorities or services.
  
  
  
• 1090 - Disaster and Relief Helpline: 1090 is a toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) based disaster early warning system with an aim to saving Lives & Livelihood.
• 1098 - Child Protection Helpline: 1098 is the Child Helpline, a toll-free, 24/7 service operated by the Aparajeyo-Bangladesh and supported by the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare. It provides assistance to the children facing violence, abuse, exploitation, or any distress, offering telephonic counseling, emergency rescue, and connections to social protection services like shelters or rehabilitation. The helpline ensures confidentiality and can be accessed from anywhere in Bangladesh at any time, including holidays. Callers, including children or concerned individuals, should provide clear details about the situation and location to facilitate prompt response.
• 106 - Anti-Corruption Helpline: 106 is the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Helpline, a toll-free, 24/7 service for reporting corruption-related issues, such as bribery, abuse of power, or other corrupt practices involving public officials or institutions. Callers can report incidents anonymously, and the helpline connects to the ACC’s central office for follow-up action. Provide clear details about the incident and location when calling to ensure effective handling
• 16430 - Legal Services: 16430  is the National Helpline for Legal Aid Services, a toll-free, 24/7 service provided by the National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO) under the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs. Established in 2013, it offers free legal advice and assistance to underprivileged individuals who cannot afford legal representation, ensuring access to justice. The helpline supports tasks like securing bail, filing cases, and defending legal rights, particularly for the poor, as mandated by the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000. Callers can access this service from any mobile operator or landline without charge, making it widely accessible across the country.
• 0190-8888-888 - Drug Control Helpline: the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) operates a Drug Control Helpline for reporting drug-related issues, such as trafficking, abuse, or illegal sales, and for seeking assistance. The official hotline number is +880-1908-888-888. This toll-free service is available 24/7, encouraging anonymous reporting to help build a drug-free country, as promoted by the DNC with the slogan: “Provide information, stay safe, build a drug-free nation.”
• Electricity Department Customer Service: Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO) Call Center: +88 02 8900110-11, 8900810-11
  
  
  

These numbers can be crucial in emergencies. So you should save these emergency phone numbers in contact list of your mobile phone.. Let me know if you need more details!