As the first islamic month, Muharram closes to Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram that marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain ibn Ali, people in south Mumbai recall the recitations of Late Maulana Mirza Muhammad Athar.

In 2011 Athar saab, as people fondly him, entered the Limca Book of Records for reciting the highest number of majlis at a particular venue in the world. He is known for imparting Muharrum sermons for 58 years at the Masjid-E-Iranian in South Mumbai.

“His sermons included the history of martyrdom of Imam Hussain and what exactly happened in Karbala 1400 years ago. He had this unique way of presenting the grief for which he is still remembered by many," Maulana Athar's son Maulana Yasoob Abbas told mid-day.com.