Ashura observed with religious fervour

Rawalpindi:The Day of Ashura, to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and the beloved son of Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s) and Syeda Fatima (s.a), Hazrat Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his 72 companions was observed with traditional religious fervour and devotion throughout the country on Wednesday, says a press release.

The central ‘Ashura’ procession in Rawalpindi emerged from the Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohalla, Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah, and Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain. The procession included Zuljinah, the Sacred Flag of Mola Abbas (A.S), Tazia and the cradle of Shehzada Ali Asghar a.s, among other relics. On this occasion, the Chief of Tehreek e Nifaz e Fiqh-e-Jafaria Pakistan, Allama Agha Syed Hussain Muqaddasi, addressed the media and mourners/Azadars at Committee Chowk. He said that today, the holy Prophet’s grandson Imam Hussain (a.s.) is being mourned across the globe as his martyrdom anniversary is being commemorated in all parts of the world. Imam Hussain’s (a.s) unparalleled sacrifice preserved the religion and esteemed values of humanity, safeguarding the efforts of a hundred and twenty four thousand prophets. The holy Prophet Muhammad PBUT said that those who hold on to Imam Hussain (A.S) will be saved. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) also said that Hussain (A.S) is from me, and I am from Hussain (A.S); love for Hussain (A.S) is love for me, and animosity towards Hussain (A.S) is animosity towards me and Allah.

Allama Muqaddasi said mourning/Azadari ceremonies are a symbol of the strength of Islam and is our jugular vein. We are peace loving people. Imam Hussain’s (a.s) sacrifice protected esteemed human values. The central Ashura procession reached Fawara Chowk, where it turned into a large gathering. Allama Syed Qamar Haider Zaidi addressed thousands of mourners, shedding light on the philosophy of martyrdom and narrating the events of Ashura. Thousands of mourners expressed their devotion to Imam Hussain (a.s) through ‘Zanjeer Zani’. The Ashura procession later reached Raja Bazaar and Purana Qila, where the processions of Zuljinah from Imambargah Shaheedan-e-Karbala Tyre Bazaar and Shah Chan Chiragh joined. The Ashura procession passed through Jamia Masjid Road and Pul Shah Nazar Diwan before concluding at the ancient Imambargah.

The Mukhtar Students Organization of Rawalpindi set up a mourning camp at Fawara Chowk, where members of Mukhtar SO and MO, along with children of Mukhtar Generation, served the Sabeel-e-Hussaini. Ibrahim Scouts set up medical camps at Habib Bank Chowk, Raja Bazaar, and Jamia Masjid Road to provide medical assistance to the mourners. To assist the district administration in arrangements for the procession, officials of TNFJ’s regional and district Muharram committees, volunteers of Mukhtar Force besides large contingents of Police accompanied the procession throughout its route.