Like around the world, Ashura is being observed with profuse solemnity across the country to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.
The Battle of Karbala occurred on 10 October, 680 AD in the city of Karbala, Iraq. It was between the army of the second Umayyad dynasty, Caliph Yazid, and the family and followers of Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RA), the beloved grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) reached Karbala on 3rd of Muharram with his family and established his camp there. Fearing that the Prophet’s (PBUH) grandson might take his crown, Yazid sent an army of 4,000 men to eliminate all of them.
On the seventh of Muharram, upon Yazid’s orders, Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), his family, and companions were denied water while on 10th of Muharram, called Youm-e-Ashur, the forces of Yazid martyred Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).
To pay tribute to the martyrs, special sittings and processions are organized in Muharram. The main procession in Islamabad started from Markazi Imambargah Asna Ashri in Sector G-6/2 and culminated at the same place after passing through its traditional route. A total of 2,200 police officials were deployed for maintaining peace.
Ulema highlighted the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). Police officials maintained high vigilance of processions through safe city cameras, surveillance, and drone cameras. The police commandos along with vehicles performed the security duties at Imambargahs arranging religious gatherings.
Some eight walk-through gates were installed at the entry and exit points of the procession. CCTV cameras were also installed to check the entry and exit of people at various points. Bomb Disposal Squad personnel checked all the routes of the procession. The roads leading to Imambargahs were sealed off.
In Lahore, the main mourning procession took out from Nisar Haveli of the Walled City to the Karbala Gamay Shah.
The procession passed through the traditional route – Kashmiri Mohallah, Chowk Nawab Sahib, Masjid Wazir Khan, Rang Mahal, Kasera bazaar, Chattah Bazaar, Gumti, Tehsil Bazaar, Tibbi, and Bhatti Gate. Sham-e-Ghariban will be observed at Karbala Gamay Shah.
Special security steps were taken and traffic managers placed restrictions on areas like Pandu Street from Sanda Road, Block Syedan, Sanda Khurd, Haider Road, Noori Building, Neeli Bar Chowk, Civil Secretariat, Chowk PMG, Chowk Istanbul, Church Chowk, Library Road, Old Anarkali, AG Office, Baba Mauj Darya, Chowk Jain Mandir, Edward Road, Farid Kot Road, and Rabbani Road.
In Karachi, the main Muharram procession was taken out from Liaquatabad. The mourners were reciting Noha Khwani (mourning lyrics).
The Sindh government imposed a ban on pillion riding from August 5-10 and also prohibited the use of drones as part of security arrangements.
Peshawar's procession departed from Imambargah Hussainia Hall at 10am. Dozens of lawmen were deployed to maintain law and order. Backed by Frontier Constabulary personnel, scores of policemen were posted to maintain order.
In Multan, the procession ended at Imambargahs Mumtazabad, while in Kamalia the city's main religious gathering went through its traditional route. Similar processions were taken out in other cities of the country.
Reporters: Amanat Gishkori and Habib Khan