Ashura being observed amid tight security

LAHORE : Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, will be observed on Sunday (today) with traditional religious solemnity and fervour amidst tight security to commemorate the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at Karbala in 61 AH some 14 centuries ago.

Authorities have beefed up security to ward off terror fears including extra measures like suspending mobile phone service on and around the route of main procession and sensitive areas, ban on pillion riding and monitoring through CCTV. Faithful in Lahore are fully prepared to keep up the traditional religious devotion on Ashura in line with the solemnity and zeal associated with the occasion.

Mourning activities reached their peak on Saturday, Muharram 9, as various Zuljinnah, Alam and Tazia procession were taken out from different parts of the provincial metropolis. The main procession was taken out from Islampura in Pando Street in the morning and culminated at the same place in the night. Other prominent processions were taken out from Zafar Colony, Wassanpura, Shadman, Green Town, Mughalpura and Ferozepur Road. These processions marched through traditional routes before culminating at the appointed places peacefully.

The central Zuljinnah procession of Ashura emerged from Nisar Haveli inside Mochi Gate late Saturday night amidst strict security arrangements and began its day-long journey through its traditional route. Accompanied by hundreds of mourners, the procession will culminate at Karbala Gamay Shah near Data Darbar after Sunday evening.

The procession will move through its route and pass from Mohallah Chehel Bibian, Imambargah Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Lakkar Mandi, Imambargah Mehdi Shah, Mobarak Haveli, Chowk Nawab Sahab, Kucha Qazi Khan, Imambargah Molvi Feroze Ali, Kucha Miskinan, Mohallah Pir Gilanian, Imambargah Rajab Ali Shah, Chohata Mufti Baqar, Chowk Purani Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazar, Sunehri Masjid, Dabbi Bazar, Suha Bazar, Gumti Bazar, Said Mitha Bazar, Tehsil Bazar, Bazar Hakiman, Unchi Masjid and Bhaati Chowk.

Before the start of the procession a Majlis-e-Aza was held in which Masaaibs were narrated by renowned Zakerin. The Majlis was preceded by recitations by various Noha Khwans who paid verse tributes to the martyrs of Karbala. A large number of chest beating and Noah reciting mourners participated in the Majlis who later joined the procession and also observed Matam (flagellation) with chained knives at several points on the route. A large number of Sabeels of juices, milk and water were set up mostly by Sunnis along the route to facilitate the mourners. Besides, a number of banners calling for Shia-Sunni unity were erected by different political and social workers and other office-bearers of district government. All markets and businesses were closed on the occasion of Ashura while newspapers published special supplements and electronic media aired special programmes to mark the significance of the event. The Lahore administration have made extra security measures in view of ongoing wave of terrorism and the threats posed by neighbouring countries, which figured prominently in the warnings issued to the government by the intelligence agencies fearing possible terrorists’ strike at the Muharram gatherings.

Besides suspending mobile phone service in sensitive areas, police, rangers and army jawans kept patrolling different areas while special forces’ personnel and snipers have taken positions on rooftops of the buildings along the route to keep an eye on miscreants. In addition to that, army helicopters also kept monitoring of the procession along their routes. The route of the procession has been closed for the general public and pedestrians, while law-enforcing agencies personnel have blocked the roads entering main route of the procession. Local residents entering the route to reach their houses and shops are being thoroughly searched.

Special security gates and scanners have been placed at the entrances of Imambargahs for searching the participants. The residents of the buildings along the route have been barred from opening their windows and coming to roofs but women and children have been allowed to watch the procession from windows.

The town administrations of Data Town has put up extra lights along the route to brighten the area to facilitate the security personnel in maintaining law and order specially in the night time. Town Nazims and other office-bearers also kept inspecting the situation at different points of the route to ensure peace.

After the culmination of the procession a Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariban will be held inside Karbala Gamay shah in which noted Zakerin will highlight the importance of the sacrifice by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions.

Ambulances by city district government and various other relief organisations are kept stand by for transporting those wounded to the hospitals while the volunteers will provide first aid to the mourners during and after the Matam.