Youm-e-Ashura observed today with solemnity

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Mourners hold religious flags as they march in a procession on Muharram 8 in Karachi. Photo: AFP/File

KARACHI: Youm-e-Ashura, the tenth of Muharram, was observed on Sunday with solemnity and sanctity to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions who laid down their lives in Karbala.

Processions — juloos — were taken out in different cities to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The primary processions in Rajanpur, Quetta, Narowal, Nawabshah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Lodhran, Lahore, Mirpur, Mian Channu, Karachi, Rohri, Multan, and Hyderabad concluded at Imambargah Jafria, Punjabi Imambargah at Alamdar Road, Imambargah Gulistan-e-Zehra, Imambargah Murtazvi, Muqam-e-Karbala, Imambargah Imamiah, Railway Graveyard, Karbala Gamay Shah, Imambargah Bait-ul-Khizan, Shami Road, Hussainia Iranian Kharadar, Shuhada Graveyard, Imambargah Kashanaye Shabbir Lal Kurti, and Imambargah Karbala Dadanshah, respectively.

Those in Tando Muhammad Khan and Abbottabad also came to an end whereas the ones in Rawalpindi and Chichawatni were on their way to conclusion, as of reporting time.

Majalis were held across the country where ulema highlighted the philosophy of Karbala and pay tributes to the martyrs. Strict security arrangements were put in place to thwart off any unwanted incident, while standard operating procedures (SOPs) were issued for the mourning processions after consultations with the religious scholars to stem the spread of coronavirus.

The day started with special prayers at mosques and imambargahs while all markets and business centres will remain closed on the occasion of Ashura.

In Karachi, the main procession was taken out from Nishtar Park. Strict security arrangements have been put in place on the procession routes with 6,368 police officials deployed as security for them. At least 90 snipers of Sindh Police's Special Security Unit (SSU) were also on duty, a spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that 12,455 police officers were stationed around different majalis and processions in the city.

In Peshawar, 12 processions were taken out in the city with strict security in place, while in Sukkur, 44 small and big processions were be taken out to remember the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (RA).

In Sibbi, the main procession was taken out from Hyderi Chowk, whereas in Hyderabad, the main Ashura procession was taken out from Qadamgah Imambargah and went through its traditional routes.

In Quetta, the main procession was taken out from Rehmatullah Chowk.

In Rawalpindi, the main procession was taken out 11am from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain. More than 3,000 police officials were deployed in the city for the security of the procession.

President, PM Imran's messages

In their message on the occasion of Youm-e-Ashura, President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan said the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions is, in fact, a guiding principle for the Muslims which taught them to sacrifice everything during the struggle for truth.

President Alvi said the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) was, in fact, the victory of truth, and symbol of steadfastness against oppression and a glorious example of sacrifice.

The president urged the countrymen to pledge to take every step for the victory of truth, promotion of justice, adherence to Islamic values, and for national progress and prosperity.

PM Imran in his message said the battle of Karbala fought between truth and falsehood has made it clear that the real success and steadfastness is the passion to sacrifice everything for revival and promotion of Islamic values.

Paying tribute to the sacrifice of Kashmiri people, he said they have kept the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) alive and just like Karbala, they also made Kashmir an example of the battle between truth and falsehood.