20000418

Ashura observed

with religious

sanctity

LAHORE: Ashura, the martyrdom day of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), his family members and companions at Karbala, who laid down their lives for righteouness, justice and truth, was observed on Sunday with due solemnity and reverence amidst security measures.

Military and para-military troops, besides the regular law enforcement machinery were deployed to maintain the law and order. All government offices, business centres and markets remained closed throughout the day.

The main Zuljinnah procession, which was taken out from Nisar Haveli inside Mochi Gate on Saturday night after passing through its traditional route culminated at Karbala Gamay Shah at about 7.00 p.m. and no untoward incident took place.

Eminent Ulema and Zakir threw light on the philosophy of the episode of Karbala. They said that in an Islamic society, leadership is the privilege of pious persons and not to those who deviated from the fundamental principles of Islam. The battle of Islam, the battle of Karbala was, in fact, the battle for human dignity and freedom in which the martyrs were the family members and grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Heavy contingents of Army and Rangers in armoured vehicles and trucks patrolled the area. Police commandos and Elite Force also guarded the route of the procession.

The peace committees comprising Shia and Sunni community leaders also remained present on the procession's route while ISO and TJP workers. Hussainia Ambulance and several other organisations accompanied the procession.

Sabeels of milk and cold drinks and first aid centres were set up. Special army monitoring cell supervised the law and order arrangement during the procession.

KARACHI

Ashura was observed here on Sunday with religious reverence and solemnity.

According to city administration no untoward incident took place in any part of the city. The beginning of the day was marked by main Majlis at Nishtar Pak in the morning, which was followed by mourning procession throughout the city.

Alam and Zuljinnah procession which were brought out from different parts of the city merged into central procession at Shah Khorasan near Old Numaish.

Noted religious scholars and Zakirin addressed mourning processions and highlighted significance of the day. The mourners offered Zohr and Asr prayers on M A Jinnah Road. On the procession routes arrangements were made for providing cold water and Sharbat to the people.

Besides a large number of ambulances were also seen at different points of procession routes to provide medical aid.

Tazia processions were also taken out. The night of 9th Moharram saw a number of Tazia at Saddar that moved on various streets including Daudpota Road and Napier Street.

The administration has banned on procession routes the presence of residences on their rooftops and in their balconies. Heavy contingent and police and other law enforcement agencies were seen patrolling sensitive areas to wards off any sabotage attempt.

HYDERABAD

The people of Hyderabad observed Ashura on Sunday with religious sanctity like other parts of the country.

The small mourning processions were taken out from different parts of Hyderabad, Latifabad and Hussainabad on early Sunday morning, which later assembled at Qadam Gah Moula Ali from where the main Matami procession was brought out under the banner of Anjuman-e-Haideri.

The main procession, escorted by heavy police contingent, Civil Defence volunteers and scouts, culminated at Karbala Dadan Shah in the afternoon after marching its traditional route.

Various social welfare organisations including Red Crescent, Fatmid Foundation, Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation and Youth Welfare Association have established medical camps at different points from Qadam Gah to Karbala Dadan Shah to provide first aid to mourners.

On way of the procession, the Ulema addressed Majalis-e-Aza at Qadam Gah, Abdullah Radio Centre and Karbala Dadan Shah.

The Ulema in their majalis highlighted the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his 72 other companions for supremacy of Islam. They called upon the Muslims to follow the messages of Islam, shun their differences, forge unity and foil the nefarious designs of anti-Muslim forces.

A procession of 'Alam and Zuljinnah" was also brought out from Qadam Gah Moula Ali, which after marching traditional routes, terminated at the starting point during Maghrib prayer.

Tazia procession was also taken out from Market which later culminated at Phuleli after march of traditional routes.

Majalis-e-Aza at different Imam Bargahs, Quran Khawani, Nazar and Niaz were also held in different parts of the city.

The local administration had beefed up security arrangements in order to avoid any untoward incident on the day. All mourning procession were escorted by the police and other law enforcing agencies. Besides, the personal of police and law enforcing agencies were also deployed at sensitive points.

PESHAWAR

Like other parts of the country, Aashura was observed on Sunday with religious fervour, and solemnity all over the province and adjacent tribal areas to pay homage to martyrs of Karbala.

Main procession was taken out from Imambargah Akhun Abad in the city area which culminated at its starting points after parading their traditional routes.

The main procession was joined by almost 20 other small Alm, Zuljinnah and Tazia processions at various points.

Tight security arrangements were made by local administration along procession routes. Heavy contingents of Police, FC and militia escorted the mourners' procession to ensure public order.

Water sabeels were erected at various points to provide water for the processionists. First aid camps and ambulances also accompanied the procession to provide medical aid to the mourners got injured while beating themselves with blade chains.

The mourners, reciting "Nohas" were addressed by the Ulema and Zakirs at various points of the routes wherein they highlighted the cause for which Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companion offered supreme sacrifices.

Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariban was held at Imambargahs in the evening to wind up the ten-day mourning. Ulema highlighted the philosophy behind the supreme sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his followers at Karbala.

They also called for forging unity among the Muslims for combating the evil forces.

Reports reaching here from Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Kohat, Hangu, Parachinar (Kurram Agency), Dera Ismail Khan, and Bannu said that Aashura was observed in a peaceful atmosphere of amity and fraternity in these areas.

The Zuljinnah and Alm processions were taken out which paraded their traditional routes and peacefully culminated. The concerned local administration had made elaborate security arrangement to foil the designs of anti-social elements.

QUETTA

Ashura was observed on Sunday with due solemnity and reverence in commemoration of the supreme sacrifices offered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his associates in Karbala for the glory of Islam.

On this occasion, Tazia Alam and Zuljinnah processions were taken out in various cities and towns of the province including Machh, Khuzdar and Sibi.

In Quetta, a big procession of Tazia, Alam and Zuljinah was taken out from Kandahari Imambargah Alamdar Road. Earlier, several small procession from various Imambargahs arrived the site and converged into the main procession.

The procession marched on its traditional route and later terminated at Imambargah Nasirul Aza Mecn Meconghy Road.

On its way, the participants of the procession were addressed by Ulema and Zakireen who highlighted the philosophy of martyrdom and emphasised unity among the Muslims. They paid tributes to the martyrs of Karbala.

Sabeel were also set up along the route of the procession providing water and sharbat to the participants. Ambulances accompanied the procession, while medical camps were also setup to provide first aid to the mourners.

The administration had made elaborate arrangements to ensure peaceful passage of the procession. All the roads leading to the procession route were closed midnight last night for all types of traffic.

Heavy contingents of police, Balochistan reserve police and frontier corps were deployed at the mosques and imambargahs to avert any situation. All went on well and no report of any untoward incident was reported from any where.

FAISALABAD

RECORDER REPORT

Ashura was observed here on Sunday. More than 100 processions were taken out from various parts of the city, which merged in the main Zuljinnah procession at Chowk Clock Tower.

The main Zuljinnah procession emerged from Imam Bargah, Hussain Pura, after Nimaz-e-Fajar and it covered its traditional route (from Imam Bargah to Chowk Clock Tower, via (Bhoubna Bazar) within 6-7 hours. At 2.30 p.m. the Zuljinnah appeared in Chowk Clock Tower where thousands of Azadars were mourning by beating their chests and resorting to.

Strict security measures were adopted by the local police to avert any untoward incident. The local doctors had setup a first aid camp in old grain market.

A combined Majlis of Azadars was held in Chowk Clock Tower where Allama Asad Jauhri, son of eminent Shia Zakir, Allama Talib Jauhri, made a speech.

Addressing the mourners, Allama Asad Jauhri lauded the supreme sacrifices offered by Hazrat Imam Hussain who set on unprecedented example of martyrdom.

He said that the great Imam embraced Shahadat but did not bow before tyrant Yazeed. Hazrat Imam Hussain and other martyrs of Karbala laid down their lives for the clarification of Islam instead of compromising on principles.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN

Ashura was observed here with enthusiasm and in a traditional and peaceful cordial atmosphere.

Alam Zuljinnah, Tazia, Zanzir Zanni processions were taken out from various Imambargahs and other places inside and around Dera Ismail Khan. These processions passed through their traditional routes and converged on Imambargahs and finally terminated at Kotli Imam Hussain. No untoward incident was reported from any where.

The Army, Para-military forces, Police, administration had made arrangements to ensure peaceful passage of Ashura and other processions.

LARKANA

Ashura was observed throughout the Larkana Division on Sunday with due reverence and sanctity to pay tributes to the martyrs of Karbala, who offered supreme sacrifices for the cause of truth and righteousness.

Majalis-i-Aza were held in main Imam Bargahs in all cities and towns of the division. Processions of Zuljinnah and Tazia were also taken out from various places.

Strict security arrangements had been made all along the routes of procession, Police and Rangers maintained vigilant patrolling round the clock. However no untoward incident was reported.

SILKOT

Ashura was observed with great solemnity and reverence here on Sunday like other parts of the country.

As many as 60 Majalis were held and 69 processions of Tazia and Zuljinnah were taken out in the district. In Sialkot city and Cantonment area main Majalis were be held in Imambarah Kausar Ali Shah, Imambarah Mistri Abdullah, Imambarah Addah Pasrurian, Umeranwali and Bherth.

Meanwhile, district administration chalked out a comprehensive security plan to ensure law and order.

SAHIWAL

Ashura was observed here on Sunday with great solemnity and reverence.

Alam processions were taken out from various parts of the city in memory of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions, who laid their lives for the sake of Islam at Karbala.

The mourners recited Nohas and Mersias and paid rich tributes to the great martyr, Hazrat Imam Hussain and Ahle Bait.

Similar processions were also taken out from various parts of the district including Chichawatni, Arifwala.

SRINAGAR

A large number of mourners, defying official ban and extraordinary military precautions, tried to take out Ashura procession from Ab-e-Guzar area of Srinagar on Sunday.

According to a KMS press release, the troops resorted to heavy lathi charge and excessive tear gassing, injuring a number of processionists.

Thirty two office-bearers and workers of Anjuman-e-Shari-Shian and Ittehadul Muslimeen were arrested.

These included, Syed Muzzaffar Hussain, Mohammad Nagoon. The prominent Shia leader and vice-president of Anjuman-e-Shari Shian, Agha Syed Hasan Budgami, who was to lead the Muharram procession in Srinagar, was put under house arrest early Sunday morning.

Despite this, a large number of people formed a procession at Ab-e-Guzar, which was subjected to brute force.

It may be recalled that Muharram processions remain banned in occupied Kashmir for the past 10 years. The procession on the 8th of Muharram in Srinagar was also subjected to cruel lathi charge and tear gassing Maulvi Abbas Ansari, the APHC leader, who was leading the procession, was arrested along with 50 other processionists.

The APHC has strongly denounced the Indian authorities for use of brute force on religious processions. The APHC spokesman described this as interference in religious affairs. He said, this had thoroughly exploded the myth of so-called Indian secularism.

Meanwhile, the former APHC Chairman, Mir Waiz Umer Farooq, addressing an 'Ashura' gathering in Srinagar on Monday, described death and destruction in occupied Kashmir by the Indian troops, as 'Meidn-e-Karbala', Every evening in occupied Kashmir, he added, came as a 'Shame-e-Ghariban' but justice would ultimately triumph over the forces of evil. He emphasised that the Kashmir Liberation Movement would emerge victorious, no matter how great the Indian tyranny.ÑPPI/APP