ISLAMABAD: Youm-e-Ashur, 10th Muharram ul Harram is being observed today (Saturday) with traditional religious solemnity and fervor 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.
Processions have started in different towns and cities across the country from Gilgit to Karachi. In Quetta, the mourners began their journey from Alamdar Road while Karachi’s the main procession started from Nishtar Park.
In Lahore, the main procession initiated from Nisar Haveli, inside Mochi Gate, which will conclude at Karbala Gaamay Shah, after passing through its traditional route inside the Lahore Walled City.
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.
In Rawalpindi, the central procession of Ashura emerged from Col Maqbool Imambargah and after passing through its traditional route it will conclude at the Qadeemi Imambargah.
Similarly, a total of 12 processions would be taken out in Peshawar with 13,000 security personnel deployed and mobile phone service suspended.
Earlier, the procession for 10th of Muharram ul Harram also started in Daulatpur during the wee hours of the night and will follow its traditional routes.
In a manner similar to other parts of the country, Hafizabad district is hosting 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 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 will have to pass through three layers of security.
Pillion riding was banned in Lahore and Peshawar to avoid any untoward incident. Mobile telephone service will remain majorly suspended in all main cities on the routes of 10th Muharram processions to keep law and order situation under control.
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, dishonor 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 (RA) 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 will continue till next day (today – the 10th of Muharram). People were wearing the name of Imam Hussain (RA) on their heads and hands while observing the sorrow.
Read more: Mourners take out Muharram 9 processions amid strict security measures
