Hazrat Ali’s martyrdom day observed

LAHORE

The martyrdom anniversary of fourth Khalifah Hazrat Ali (RA) was observed on Saturday with religious solemnity and spirit amidst tight security and suspension of mobile phone service in specific areas. 

The faithful held majalis, conferences and took out Tazia processions in various cities to highlight the personality and achievements of Hazrat Ali (RA).

In Lahore, the traditional Tazia Alam procession was taken out from Mubarak Haveli inside Mochi Gate early Saturday morning and culminated at Karbala Gamay Shah in the evening after passing through its traditional route.

The route of the procession included Imambargah Ghulam Ali Shah, Chowk Nawab Sahab, Mochi Gate, Lal Khoo, Fazal Haveli, Takia Nathay Shah, Koocha Shian, Chuhatta Mufti Baqar, Old Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazaar, Dabbi Bazaar, Sunehri Masjid, Paniwala Talab, Chowk Nogaza, Chowk Tarannum Cinema, Chowk Tibbi, Bazaar Hakeeman, Chowk Novelty, Mohalla Jogian, Oonchi Masjid and Bhaati Gate.

The proceedings began with the recitation of the holy Quran followed by Nohas and the description of the invaluable services rendered by Hazrat Ali (RA) for the cause of Islam, and an account of the events which led to his martyrdom.

The procession was led by leading Zakerin while different groups of flagellants and Noha Khwans paid tributes to the Khalifah (RA) during the procession by conducting flagellation.

Volunteers and doctors with ambulances were accompanying the procession. The participants had Iftar at Karbala Gamay Shah after the culmination of the procession.

Meanwhile, conferences were held in various Imambargahs, including Jamia Al-Muntazir at Model Town, Imambargah Mubarak Begum at Bhaati Gate, Kirshan Nagar and Lytton Road where zakerin paid tributes to the qualities and achievements of Hazrat Ali (RA). Various religious organisations held meetings to commemorate the achievements of the fourth Khalifah (RA) and urged the Muslims to follow in his footsteps to regain the lost grandeur of the Ummah. 

In view of the prevailing security situation, the district government had taken strict security measures for the procession as a large number of police and reserved police personnel were deployed on the route and at other sensitive places.

Besides, the policemen took positions on the rooftops of the buildings along the route and nobody was  allowed to stand on the rooftops and balconies. Special control rooms were established at different points to monitor the situation, both manually and through close circuit cameras installed at sensitive points for the purpose.

Scanners were erected at the entry points of the procession route while participants were subjected to scanning by metal detectors before they were allowed to join the procession.

As special security measures this year, the district administration deputed a second layer of security along the outskirts of the Walled City and police mobile squad kept close eye on the activities on all the main roads adjacent to the procession route.