PESHAWAR: The martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali (RA) was observed in Peshawar with religious reverence and devotion amid tight security on Sunday.

The processions were taken out from different mosques while ulema and Zakireen, addressing Majalis-i-Aza held at mosques and imambargahs, highlighted different aspects of the life and sacrifices of Hazrat Ali (RA). They urged the people to follow in the footsteps of Hazrat Ali in order to save themselves from the fire of hell.

The main procession was taken out in limits of Kotwali police station, which passed through its traditional route.

Security was put on high alert and movement of irrelevant people was restricted in the areas. A large number of police and Frontier Constabulary personnel were deployed on the main entry and exit points to avert any untoward incident.

Similarly, BDS personnel remained alert and thoroughly checked the routes with detectors. The procession route was protected with barbed wire and cemented blocks where volunteers of Imamia Students Organisation also checked the participants.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has expressed satisfaction on the peaceful observance of the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali (RA) throughout the province.

He paid tribute to the police and local administrations for security arrangements and people for demonstrating exemplary spirit of religious harmony.

In a message on the occasion, Mr Khattak said that there was no concept of religious hatred or terror in Islam right from the times of the holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to that of four Khulafa (RA). “We always find lessons of unity, love and spirit of sacrifice for humanity from those times,” he said and regretted that the enemies later succeeded in sowing the seeds of discord among various schools of thought of Muslims.

“We as a nation have to understand the conspiracies of our enemies,” he said.

The chief minister hoped that with the active support of ulema the curses of sectarian hatred, extremism and terrorism would be eliminated.

He reiterated his government’s strong resolve to ensure protection of the life and property of people.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2014