ISLAMABAD: Youm-e-Ashura, the 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram, was observed across the country on Sunday with due solemnity to pay homage to the supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), his blessed family and his devoted companions in Karbala.
Tazia and Shabih-e-Zuljanah processions were taken out in all cities and towns. Hundreds of religious gatherings (Majalis) and processions were also held across the country.
Thousands of mourners participated in hundreds of Youm-e-Ashura processions countrywide. A number of devotees carrying Tazias and Alams recited soul-stirring elegies dedicated to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), his blessed family and devoted companions.
Ulema and Zakireen highlighted the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and various aspects of the Karbala tragedy.
Elaborate security arrangements had been made to avoid any untoward incident during the mourning processions. Law enforcement agencies, including police, Rangers, Frontier Corps (FC) and others provided security to mourners.
Mobile phone services were completely suspended as a security measure. The routes of the procession were protected with barbed wire, panels, and barriers besides ensuring compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government to curb the spread of coronavirus. Medical camps, Sabeels and stalls were also arranged to provide assistance to the participants.
Hospitals were directed to remain alert for any emergency situation while a comprehensive plan was formulated to provide first aid on the spot to the mourners.
In Rawalpindi, the main procession of Youm-e-Ashura emerged from Imambargah Col Maqbool Hussain, which culminated at Imambargah Qadeemi after passing through its designated routes.
Zakireen highlighted the philosophy of the Battle of Karbala, paying great respects to the grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The mourners held Majlis of Sham-e-Ghariban at Imambargah Qadeemi.
Sabeels of water, milk and tea were set up along the route of the processions. Walk-through gates and CCTV cameras had also been installed to check the entry and exit of people at various points.
In Karachi, the central procession peacefully culminated at Hussanian Iranian Imarbargah in Kharadar after passing through its traditional routes.
The procession was taken out from Nishtar Park and passed through MA Jinnah Road, Boulton Market and Khardar before being culminated at Kharadar’s Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.
A large number of mourners, including men, women, children and elderly offered prayers during the procession.
The participants and religious scholars paid homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), his blessed family and devoted companions. After offering prayers, the participants restarted their procession towards Hussanian Iranian Imarbargah and kept reciting Marsias to commemorate the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), his blessed family and devoted companions.
The special security measures were adopted as all the routes leading to culmination point from Nishtar Park were sealed and movement other than procession participants remained banned.
More than 18,000 policemen and a large number of Rangers personnel were deployed for security of the mourners.
According to Karachi Police spokesman, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took an aerial view of the procession by helicopter and he was accompanied by Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar.
Cellular service also remained partially suspended. Medical camps with doctors, nurses, as well as the paramedical staff, had been established in a state of readiness throughout the procession route.
In Lahore, main Shabih-e-Zuljanah procession was taken out from Nisar Haveli inside Mochi Gate of Walled City of Lahore and it culminated at Karbala Gamay Shah after marching through the traditional route, where Majlis of Sham-e-Ghariban was held.
As many 116 possessions were taken out on Youm-e-Ashura in Multan district. Similarly, about 36 tazia processions were ended up at Karbala Shah Shamas.
Later on, Majalis of Sham-e-Ghariban were held in Imambargahs of Shah Gardez, Imambargah Lal Shah, Mumtazabad, Haveli Mureed Shah, Imambargah Hyderia (Gulghast) and Hussainabad Daulat Gate.
In Peshawar, the main Alam, Tazia and Shabih-e-Zuljanah procession culminated at Imambargah Agha Syed Mustafa Shah Qissa Khawani Bazaar. The procession was taken out in the afternoon from Imambargah Bawa Fazal Hussain at Yakkatoot area of the city.
Similar processions were also taken out in Mardan, Kohat, Bannu, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, Kurram, and Dera Ismael Khan.
In Bahawalpur, the main procession was taken out from Jamia Masjid Chah Fateh Khan Bazar which concluded at Markazi Karbala Model Town B after passing through Machli Bazar, Multani Gate and Old Sabzi Mandi. Some 2,150 police personnel and 1,870 volunteers were deployed on security.
In Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), Tazia, Alam and Shabih-e-Zuljanah processions were brought out from central Imambargahs in all major cities and towns across the state, including in the capital city of Muzaffarabad, besides Mirpur, Kotli, Bagh, Bhimber, Sudhanoti, Haveli, Rawalakot, Hattiyan and Neelam valley districts which culminated at their stipulated religious sites after passing through their traditional routes.
In Hyderabad, 78 Majalis were held throughout the city while 35 small and big processions have been taken out from different parts of the city.
The central procession had been taken out from Qadam Gah Moula Ali (AS) and after passing different routes will be culminated at Karbala Dadan Shah in the evening.
The mourning processions were also held in Rajanpur, Narowal, Nawabshah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Lodhran, Tando Muhammad Khan, Abbottabad, Mian Channu, Rohri and concluded at respective Imambargahs after marching through traditional routes.
