Youm-e-Ashur being observed with solemnity today

ISLAMABAD: Youm-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, will be observed with solemnity and religious sanctity throughout the country and Azad Kashmir on Tuesday to pay tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions for the supreme sacrifices rendered by them for the cause of truth, justice and righteousness. The day is observed to commemorate the supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his 72 companions at Karbala to uphold the truth.

Tazyiya, Alam and Zuljinah processions will be taken out in all cities and towns across the country. The ninth Muharram procession was taken out from Markazi Imambargah G-6 Islamabad, amid stringent security measures and culminated at the same place after passing through its designated route.

On this occasion, special security arrangements had been made for the maintenance of peace. Police pickets had beenestablished on all entry and exit points of the capital where every vehicle is being checked.

Hospitals have been asked to remain alert for any emergency situation. Security has been tightened in Rawalpindi where police personnel and Rangers are deployed on the routes of the procession.

In all major cities of Punjab strict security arrangements have been made for the procession of 10th of Muharram. Security has also been tightened in all the Imambargahs and routes of the processions.

In Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan all roads leading to Imambargahs have been sealed and strict security has been ensured for the processions. A large number of people will visit graveyards during Youm-e-Ashur to pray for the departed souls of their loved ones.

In his message on the occasion President Asif Ali Zardari has urged countrymen to follow in the footsteps of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and adopt his values to eradicate all kinds of ignorance from the country.

"We have to forget our trivial differences and adopt the teachings of Islam and promote peace, security and brotherhood." Today, he said, the way to pay tribute to Imam Hussain (RA) is to follow his values wholeheartedly.

"For us, this day holds importance as the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) along with his 72 companions embraced martyrdom in Karbala." He said the event of Karbala is very significant which affected every aspect of human life, unveiled aspects of superior character and provided standards to judge a person and increased knowledge and light by piercing the dark curtains of ignorance and deceptions.

The president said Youm-e-Ashur gives the lesson of sacrifice and piety for achieving higher objectives. Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) decided to live life as a lasting symbol of truthfulness to make the followers of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) realise that they should pursue the basic values of good character including tolerance, endurance, sacrifice, equality, justice and fairness.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in his message called upon the people to follow the principles espoused by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), for the security of Pakistan and glory of Islam. "We can become an ideal society if we adopt the principles of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in our individual and collective lives."

"Today is the day of Ashura. This day has a special significance in Islamic history. This is the day when Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the Holy Prophet's grandson, took on the forces of falsehood for the glory of Islam.

"On this very day, the battle was fought between the forces of truth and falsehood, which would continue to impart Muslims a lesson of sustained struggle against oppression and tyranny till the Day of Judgment," he said adding this battle for truth is not only a beacon for the Muslims but also for the entire mankind".

The Prime Minister said the incident of Karbala proved to the world that it is the truth which holds sway in fight against the evil forces. If a nation is on the right path and bearer of truth, superiority in military weapons cannot discourage or defeat it, he observed.

The prime minister said the power of faith is so strong that it can bring down any adversary. "In the plains of Karbala, the companions of Imam Hussain (RA) were very small in number with little weapons. But they fought bravely against the forces of Yazid that were equipped with the latest weaponry and thus became instrumental in the victory of truth over falsehood. The battle between the forces of truth and falsehood imparts us a lesson of sacrifice and selflessness," he added.

He said this great event in the human history taught us that we must create a spirit of forbearance, sympathy and tolerance. Our great religion, Islam, stands for brotherhood, equality, truthfulness, and justice, he added.

Gilani said the strife and challenges faced by our homeland these days at individual and collective levels represent a battle between truth and falsehood. "By following in the footsteps of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), we can defeat the forces of falsehood."

On this day of Ashura, we reiterate our pledge that we would further strengthen unity, political and social harmony, mutual tolerance, and brotherhood in our ranks. The prime minister said, "let us vow that we would follow the principles espoused by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) for security of our motherland and glory of Islam and would not hesitate to offer any sacrifice for the sake of Islamic principles. May Allah give us courage to stand our ground against the forces of falsehood (Amen)."