As Lahore prepares to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (with whom Allah was pleased) on the 10^th of Muharram, the Covid-19 pandemic continues to dog us. The virus shows no sign of slowing down, and with the new delta variant infecting more and more people, hospitals are fast filling up with new cases each day.

The fast-spreading variant poses a great danger for the citizens planning to participate in large gatherings to be held in main centres of Lahore, especially on Ashura.

The mourners, garbed in mostly black, flock the gates of Imambargahs and ’azakhanas to attend majalis all over the city, beginning with the first day of the month of mourning. Reportedly, over 3,900 majalis are going to be held during the first 10 days of Muharram in Lahore alone. A total of 460 processions are also planned during the Ashra-i-Awal in the city.

However, as with every other aspect of life, the pandemic has hit the Muharram activities. Even though large gatherings are being held throughout the city with religious fervour, not all mourners come masked up.

Every year, the main Ashura procession in the city departs from Nisar Haveli in Mochi Gate on the 9^th of Muharram at sunset and culminates at Karbala Gamay Shah on the 10^th. The path has remained unchanged for over 200 years. This year too, thousands are expected to participate in the Zuljinah procession.

There is a possibility of the social-distancing protocol not being followed strictly by the mourners as the procession moves forward, crossing the Imambargahs and navigating the narrow streets and alleys inside the Walled City, finally entering the gates of Karbala Gamay Shah. “Last year, when the pandemic had hit us and there was great uncertainty, we could not be kept from participating [in Muharram activities],” says Hussain Sardar, a young college student and a regular at the majalis. “Some may have decided to stay back, but most took part in the processions as always.

’Azaadari (mourning the tragedy of Karbala in congregations) is the most important ritual which is impossible to let go of, he adds. “However, the safety of the community is out foremost concern.”

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), in a recently issued statement, directed the organisers of processions and majalis to ensure compliance with the Covid-19 SOPs and urged them to hold gatherings in open, ventilated areas. Throwing caution to the wind and disregarding the SOPs can land the city people in great trouble.

Muharram, in 2020, was spent in uncertainty, with many staying indoors and choosing online commemorations. A year on, as more and more people are vaccinated and are aware of simple steps that can help contain the spread of the virus, there is a general inclination to participate in the rituals in person.

Nighat Sheikh, 67, tells TNS that she attends the ladies’ majlis every morning at Imambargah Qasr-i-Batool where “most women are wearing masks.”

Sheikh, who is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, insists that every adult should get the shots; only then can the mourning meet-ups take place smoothly. She recalls that last year the organisers had to cancel many a majlis, because the mourners were flouting the SOPs. “Thankfully, this time around, more people appear to be taking the precautions seriously.”

Sheikh is a devout mourner. With a walking stick in hand, she slowly makes her way through the doors of the Imambargah every morning, without fail, to mourn the suffering of the martyrs of Karbala and pay her respects.

Lahore, one of Pakistan’s most vibrant cities, has a long history of holding Muharram commemorations. Some 200 years ago, Gamay Shah, holding a wooden ta’ziah over his head, started his journey, mourning. No one may have predicted at the time that the route taken by him would be followed by mourners in the city centuries later.

There are many important Shia landmarks and Imambargahs inside the Walled City. Mubarak Haveli, Imambargh Chihl Bibiyan, Imambargah Syed Rajab Ali Shah hold regular majalis.

Every day, the devotees visit the shrine of Bibian Pak Daman in Muhammad Nagar, Lahore, in droves. During Muharram, their presence grows manifold. The place, believed by many Shias to be the mausoleum of Ruqayyah, the daughter of Hazrat Ali (with whom Allah was pleased), is highly revered. A visit to the shrine in Muharram shows that there is always a majlis going on in a corner, with the devotees gathered around the zakir’s table, listening to him intently, while others bang their heads and thump their chests.

A visit to an Imambargah also shows that ensuring compliance with the Covid-19 SOPs is a tough task. Devotees coming in from interior Punjab and rural areas often refuse to wear masks. The Lahoris are not much different. People go about their business in the streets around the shrine with little concern for personal and communal safety.

It is clear that people are far less scared of the pandemic than they were around this time last year. Muharram, in 2020, was spent in uncertainty, with many staying indoors and choosing online commemorations. As more and more people are vaccinated and aware of simple steps that can help contain the spread of the virus, there is a general inclination to participate in the rituals in person.

Having said that, large gatherings still pose a significant threat because the new variants of corona virus are believed to be more fast-spreading. For all those partaking in the Muharram commemorations, it is crucial that they consider the protection of the community which depends on responsible individual behaviour. In true spirit of Muharram, communal wellbeing should be a priority with all in mourning.

The writer is a staff member