Volunteers set up Sabeels for mourners amid heat wave in Srinagar
Srinagar, Jul 5: Amid heat wave, several youth groups and trade bodies have set up stalls offering refreshments to mourners in various places of the city.
Localities across Srinagar are dotted with stalls offering water, juices, and food items to Shia mourners participating in Muharram processions. Despite soaring temperatures, volunteers from diverse backgrounds have stepped forward to set up these refreshment stalls, also known as Sabeels.
To mention, the tradition of establishing Sabeels dates back centuries and holds deep religious and cultural significance in Shia Islam. These stalls, offering free drinking water and food, commemorate the suffering of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at Karbala, where they were denied water for days. In Kashmir, this age-old practice has evolved into a broader community initiative that fosters a spirit of unity and shared compassion.
“I have been part of the procession since my childhood and as I grew up volunteering at Sabeels every year during the first ten days of Muharram. This is our small way of paying tribute to the martyrs of Karbala while also helping people cope with the heat. What makes it even more meaningful is how youth from different communities join hands in this effort,” said Rahil Hussain, a volunteer.
The volunteers said that throughout Srinagar, these stalls serve not just mourners but also pedestrians, passersby, and anyone in need of a drink or a quick meal. From freshly squeezed juices to cold water and light snacks, the offerings reflect both hospitality and religious reverence.
In recent years, the initiative has seen growing participation from local trade associations, administration, the Police and students.
“Muharram is a turning point in Islam and a very significant event. Irrespective of the sect, there is a lesson for everyone that teaches us about standing for truth and holding on to faith. Amid scorching heat, these stalls proved to be a great escape and relief for office goers like me,” said Faizan Ahmad, a pedestrian.
Meanwhile, many traders and NGOs also played a role in setting up stalls during the first 10 days of Muharram. Youth groups, too, have been instrumental in these efforts, with friends from both Shia and Sunni backgrounds collaborating to install Sabeels at various points in the city.
“I have many Shia friends and every year I try to do my bit by providing a helping hand while setting up these stalls. This reflects the brotherhood and strong bond the Shia and Sunni communities share in Kashmir,” said a youth distributing juice at one of the stalls in Srinagar.
Despite the intense heat this summer, the volunteers remain committed. Many of them have pledged to continue setting up these stalls till the tenth day of Muharram, the day of Ashura, when the largest mourning gatherings are held. Locals say such acts not only provide physical relief but also uphold the valley’s ethos of communal harmony and shared humanity, especially during religious occasions.
