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| March 14, 2003 | Friday | Muharram 10, 1424 |
Zuljinah procession passes peacefully
ISLAMABAD, March 13: The annual Zuljinah procession was taken out on Thursday from the Markazi Imambargah G-6/2 at 1pm amid tight security.
Hundreds of Azadars (mourners) participated in the procession, organized by Anjuman-i-Zulfiqar Haidari. It is stated to be the biggest procession brought out in Islamabad on 9th Muharram.
The procession after passing through different areas like Lal Quarters, Hockey Ground, Aabpara Market, Lal Masjid, Melody Market, China Chowk concluded at the same Imambargah.
Allama Sajid Naqvi, Allama Zulfiqar Naqvi and Allama Aqeel led the procession.
Speakers paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Karbala who sacrificed their lives for Islam and truth.
Sabeels were set up along the route of the procession. Troops were also deployed for security purposes.
Edhi ambulance and the ambulances of different government hospitals remained on alert to provide first aid to mourners. Earlier, Majlis-i-Aza was held.
Majlis-i-Asr-i-Ashoor will be held on Muharram 10 at the Imambargah at 3pm, while Majlis Sham-i- Ghariban will take place at 8pm. These Majalis will be addressed by Allama Zulfiqar Naqvi.
OUR STAFF REPORTER FROM RAWALPINDI ADDS: A mourning procession was taken out from Fatimia Imambargah, Saddar, on Thursday which was attended by a large number of people.
The mourners were beating their chests and flagellating themselves in remembrance of the sufferings of the Holy Prophet’s family. Women and men clad in black took part in the procession.
The procession after passing through its traditional route culminated at Fatimia Imambargah where Majlis-i-Shab-i-Aashur was held.
District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani, along with police officials, visited the routes through which Alam and Zuljinah processions would pass and expressed his satisfaction on the arrangements.
Mr Kiani was informed that police contingents would be deployed at different places whereas some would accompany the processions. Apart from the police, volunteers of the Civil Defence and District Peace Committee will also provide their services.
OUR STAFF REPORTER FROM ISLAMABAD ADDS: Troops have been deployed at various sensitive places in the capital to avoid any untoward incident on Muharram 10, an official of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration told Dawn.
The official said army had been deployed in the capital on the ICT administration’s request.
Mobile teams of the army have started night patrolling in the city to maintain peace and provide security to the people.
The main Azadari (mourning) procession in Islamabad was taken out in sector G-6 on Thursday while the main procession will be held at Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi on Muharram 10 (Friday).
The official said in view of increasing incidents of terrorism in the country, Islamabad police had already beefed up security in the capital and deployed police commandos at all mosques, Imambargahs, commercial centres and other public places.
He said in all commercial centres, police personnel in plain clothes with sniffer dogs had been deployed to avert both criminal and terrorist activities.
About the preventive measures adopted by the ICT administration, he said the local administration had imposed section 144 against wall chalking, display and firing of arms, issuance of books and pamphlets, use of loud speakers, playing of cassettes etc. Similarly, a ban had also been imposed on pillion riding in the capital, he added.
The official said the law enforcement agencies had already been put on alert to foil any design of terrorists and other inimical powers who were bent on creating unrest in the country.
He said all magistrates of the district had been directed to pay frequent visits at Imambargahs and mosques specially at night to check the security arrangements made by the ICT administration and police.
ASHURA TODAY: Ashura-i-Muharram will be observed with reverence here on Friday as in other parts of the country to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and his companions.
The feature of the day will be the main Zuljinah and Tazia procession, which will commence from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool.
A number of other processions will continue to pour into the main procession all along the course. Some of the other major Imambargahs from where the processions will begin include Hifazat Ali Shah, Baltistani and Shah Chanchiragh. All these processions will combine at Fawara Chowk where Zohr prayers will be offered and religious scholars will deliver sermons. The main procession will then culminate at Qadeemi Imambargah followed by Majlis-i- Sham-i-Ghariban.
The district administration has made elaborate security arrangements for the occasion. Police will patrol various places in the city to avert any untoward incident while personnel of civil defence, bomb disposal squad, fire brigade and ambulances will accompany the procession.
The administration has banned witnessing of the processions from rooftops. However, security personnel will be deployed on the rooftops of various buildings.
Hospitals of the city have also been put on high alert. Medical camps will be set up by various voluntary organizations, including Edhi, Pak Hyderi Scouts, Imamia Organization and Mukhtar Students Organization.
Sabeels will also be set up by various religious and philanthropist organizations to provide water to the mourners.
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