The Islamic New Year 1437 A.H, that commenced with the month Muharram started on 15th October of the Gregorian calendar. Muharram as always is observed with mourning by the Shia Community around the world in remembrance of the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (a.s) and his companions at Karbala.

The tenth day of Muharram also called Youm-e-Ashura was observed with solemnity and reverence in both Leh and Kargil District on 24th October.

In Leh, the procession was organised by Majlis-e-Hussaini Seerat Committee Leh. A total number of nine procession groups were present which included students from Imamia Mission School, Imamia Model School, ITBP jawans and people from Chushot, Thiksey, Shey, Kargil who performed sineh zahri (chest beating), zanjeer zahri along with the recitation of noha (elegy). The numbers of people present were in thousands.

The procession began in morning around 10 am from the Shia Jama Masjid Chuterantak halted at Sunni Jama Masjid where Sheikh Hadi Phyang addressed the people about the reasons of observing the day of Ashura. The convoy of lamentation stopped at Imam Bargah where the zuljana was taken inside the Imam Bargah. Then the procession came to an ended at Balkhang Chowk in the afternoon which was addressed by Sheikh Manzoor Hussain.

Police forces and medical staff of SNM hospital were deployed to handle the security and medical emergency cases respectively. 

Simultaneously, the women folks of the community stayed inside the Imam Bargah and observed Youm-e-Ashura. They were addressed by Sheikh Hussain Ali-Imam-e-Jumma Leh, Hafis Ghulam Mohammad- Imam-e-Jumma wal-Jamaat, Sheikh Ghulam Hadi al-Haj, Sayed Zahid Razvi, Sheikh Saifuddin -President Moin-ul-Islam and Ashraf Ali Barcha-President Anjuman-e-Imamia who spoke about the significance of the day and the importance of observing matam in the month of Muharram. 

On the night of the same day which is called Shaam-e-Gareeban the women gather in the Imam Bargah and recited elegy in the name of Imam Hussain (a.s) and his family. 

The day earlier LAHDC Leh election results were declared with BJP getting a sweeping victory, but they did not celebrate. On speaking to BJP Leh Distt.Vice President Nazir Ahmed, he said that the party decided not to celebrate their victory as it coincided with the day of Ashura.

Similarly in Kargil the Youm-e-ahura procession was taken out and was observed with full solidarity. The procession in the main town was organised by Islamia School and Imam Khomini Memorial Trust. In Drass, Saliskote and SankooTaisuru also procession took place.