Calcutta: The Bengal Imams' Association has said ahead of Muharram that processions with arms are not desirable and children should not be involved in such events.

"Do not involve children in this practice, do not give them arms of any sort, do not do anything illegal yourself and tell others not to do so. Do not give in to provocation, said the statement signed by Muhammad Yahya, chairman of the Bengal Imams' Association.

The Nakhoda Masjid imam, Maulana Shafique Qasmi, has already issued an appeal against carrying weapons and self-flagellation in Muharram processions.

"Display or use of weapons during these processions have nothing to do with our religion," Maulana Shafique Qasmi said on Friday. "I have appealed against doing anything that works to strengthen the hands of forces that seek to divide," he told this newspaper.