Ashura processions conclude peacefully across the country

Huge number of people participated in the events organised for 10th of Muharram

LAHORE (Web Desk) – Youm-e-Ashur (Muharram 10) processions were concluded peacefully in major cities of Pakistan on Saturday.

Mourning processions were taken out in different cities in all four provinces amid tight security arrangements, with mobile phones and internet services affected in parts of the country.

The processions culminated at pre-designated locations for observance of Shaam-e-Ghariban, where Ulema and Zakireen recalled events from Karbala and the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and other martyrs of the Karbala tragedy.

Youm-e-Ashur is being observed with traditional religious solemnity and fervour to commemorate the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and his companions at Karbala in 61AH some 14 centuries ago.

 The Day of Ashura is regarded as the "day of struggle by righteous forces against tyrants" and is commemorated as a day of mourning for the death of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). Ulema and Zakireen at Zuljinnah and Tazia processions will highlight the philosophy of the great sacrifice offered by Karbala martyrs. The mourners resolve to follow the footprints of the great martyrs of Karbala.

Rounds of Nazr Niaz, Ziarat and a cycle of paying tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in mourning congregations will also be observed across the length and breadth of the country, in the Muslim world on Ashura day and wherever the Muslims resides in numbers.

Arrangements for sabeel and langar have been done for the mourners at various places. Water and milk stands for the mourners were placed at various points on the route of the processions.

However, heavy rain in upper Punjab – including Lahore, Gujranwala, Kasur and other cities – resulted in accumulation of rainwater on roads, causing great hardships for the hundreds of thousands of mourners who experienced the downpour in open air.

Read more: Intense thunderstorm with wind lashes northern, northeastern Punjab

Muharram processions were peacefully concluded in the following major cities.

LAHORE

The 10th Muharram procession was held with great solemnity and reverence in Lahore, as thousands of mourners participated in the main procession that commenced from Nisar Haveli. The procession was an occasion for the devotees to remember the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain RA and his family.

As the main procession meandered through the city, mourners expressed their grief and solidarity by carrying chains as a symbolic gesture of mourning.

To ensure the safety and security of the gathering, strict security arrangements were put in place. Snipers were deployed on rooftops along the procession route, monitoring the proceedings diligently. The main procession was closely monitored using 395 CCTV cameras, while three operation rooms were established to effectively oversee the event.

Three control rooms have been established to monitor the route of the procession. 11000 police soldiers are deployed to secure the area along with several high level officials such as 80 SHO, several SSP’s and CCPO Lahore. The procession was culminated at Karbala Gamay Shah. 

KARACHI

In Karachi, the main Ashura procession commenced from Nishtar Park and proceeded along designated routes until it reached Imambargah Hussainiya Iraniyan Kharadar. Prior to the commencement of the procession, a meeting was held at Nishtar Park, wherein Allama Syed Shahshah Naqvi addressed the attendees.

The mourners continued to chant sorrowful hymns, expressing their grief for the sufferings of Hussain. Water and milk jars were placed along the procession routes, providing much-needed refreshments for the participants. Additionally, arrangements were made for the distribution of niaz and tabarak.

10th Muharram processions were also held in other major cities of Pakistan, including Hyderabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Peshawar, and Quetta. At the conclusion of these processions, Majalis Sham-e-Ghariban will be held, narrating the tragic events and mourning the atrocities committed against the women of the Prophet's family, as well as the martyred Imam, his loved ones, and companions.

Safety measures were implemented for ashura processions in Quetta, Bahawalpur, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir.

QUETTA

In Quetta, the 10th Muharram procession started from Alamdar Road and concluded there after the Maghrib prayer. Stringent security arrangements have been made, with over 8,000 police and FC personnel deployed for the protection of participants. The procession was efficiently monitored through a network of cameras and aerial surveillance. Double riding of motorcycles and mobile phone services have been temporarily suspended to maintain law and order situation.

In Rawalpindi, the central procession of Ashura emerged from Col Maqbool Imambargah and after passing through its traditional route it concluded at the Qadeemi Imambargah.

Similarly, a total of 12 processions were taken out in Peshawar with 13,000 security personnel deployed and mobile phone service suspended.

Earlier, the procession for 10th of Muharram also started in Daulatpur during the wee hours of the night and concluded after following its traditional routes.

In a manner similar to other parts of the country, Hafizabad district hosted around 36 processions paying tribute to the martyrs of Karbala.

On the other hand, several processions planned in Kandhkot are now on the streets with people paying homage to the grandson of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) for the great sacrifices he made.

SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS

Security has been put on high alert on the routes of Muharram processions to avoid any untoward incident. Controls rooms have been set up and the procession routes are being monitored by secret and open security cameras. Heavy contingent of police and Rangers have been deployed to ensure fool proof security.

Police were deployed in all sensitive areas and roads leading to the imambargahs have been blocked and anyone who wants to join the mourners had to pass through three layers of security.

Pillion riding was banned in Lahore and Peshawar to avoid any untoward incident. Mobile telephone service remained majorly suspended in all main cities on the routes of 10th Muharram processions to keep law and order situation under control.

KARBALA TRAGEDY

The commemoration of Karbala is to mark of the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala, when Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad (PBUH), was martyred by the forces of the Umayyad caliph. He was martyred in the desolate along with his loyalists, children and all the men of his family except his unwell son Hazrat Imam Zain-ul-Abedin A.S. The cruel army of Yazeed arrested the women and children accompanying Imam Hussain and subjected them to humiliation, dishonour and tyranny.

The commemoration of martyrs of Karbala is considered as continuous battle and a revival of pledge to fight against the oppressor, tyrant, unjust, despot and tormentor.

Mourning observances include processions, congregations called Majalis-e Aza and observing fast is called Faqa, which is exclusively used in connection with the remembrance rituals for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions on the 10th day of Muharram called Ashura.

Hundreds of thousands of followers of Islam and devotees of Holy Prophet (PBUH) gather to pay homage to the martyrdom of his grandson Hazrat Imam Hussain and his zealous companion to uphold of Justice, Truth, Humanity and Islam - by observing mourning in Muharram and participating in the condoling gatherings and congregations amid tight security.

Heart-wrenching scenes of eyes shedding tears and people beating their bodies in the pain and grief while recalling what happened to the martyred grandson of Muhammad (PBUH) at Karbala was observed yesterday on 9th Muharram and the mourning continued till next day, the 10th of Muharram. People were wearing the name of Imam Hussain (RA) on their heads and hands while observing the sorrow.