HYDERABAD: Chehlum processions were taken out in all Sindh towns to commemorate the 40th day after Karbala martyrdoms passed through their traditional routes amid tight security on Sunday and ended peacefully.

In Hyderabad, central procession was taken out by Anjuman Imamiya Sindh from Qadam Gah Maula Ali amid strict security arrangements. All connecting streets, 56 in all, were sealed completely and policemen were deployed along the route. Rangers personnel also performed duties during the day.

After emerging from Qadam Gah the procession reached Station Road before entering Khokhar Mohallah and then taking Lajpat Road, Saddar Bazaar and Mohammad Ali Johar road it entered Karbala Dadan Shah. Zuljinah and replicas of coffins were parts of the procession.

The mourners were allowed to join the procession only through specific points which also led to exchange of hot words between the mourners and policemen. Many small processions joined the procession en route.

The entire route right from Qadam Gah to Dadan Shah remained completely closed for general public and vehicular traffic till the procession ended around Maghrib prayers.

The route also remained closed for traffic due to annual ritual of women called ‘pallay bharaee’ at the shrine of Sarfaraz Baba Kalhoro Shaheed located a few paces away from Karbala Dadan Shah.

Women from all parts of Sindh thronged the shrine to perform the ritual. It starts in the morning of Chehlum and continues till after sunset. Women visit the shrine with different prayers which they believe are answered. The road on Sarfaraz Incline remained closed and a large number of policemen were deployed outside the shrine to provide security.

In Sukkur, Chehlum processions were was taken out from central Imambargah which marched on Barrage Road, clock tower roundabout, Hussaini Road and others before returning to the starting point.

All the shops and markets on either side of the route were closed and link roads were sealed with tractor-trolleys and other vehicles. Nobody was also allowed to join the procession without complete body search.

In Jacobabad, the areas bordering with Balochistan were completely sealed and link roads and streets leading to the procession’s route were closed with barbed wires. Police were not letting anybody join the procession without security clearance.

Many processions were taken out which later joined the main procession that started from Pir Bokhari and terminated at Karbala after passing through its route.

In Kandhkot, main procession started from central Imambargah Syed Ghulam Shah and returned to the starting point after passing through different roads.

In Mirpur Mathelo, the procession was taken out from Perr Baqar Ali Shah which ended at central Imambargah Hussainia after passing through different roads.

MITHI: Several processions were taken out and majalis were organised in Mithi, Kali, Chhachhro, Nagarprakar, Diplo, Chelhar, Islamkot and other towns of the district.

A large number of members of Hindu communities also participated in the processions to pay respects to the martyrs of Karbala. All the processions and majalis concluded peacefully throughout the district.

THATTA: Main Chehlum procession was taken out from Imambargah Mashadi Sayyeds and many were brought out from other Imambargahs of the town. The processions returned to their respective Imambargahs in all towns of Thatta and Sujawal peacefully.

SHIKARPUR: Chehlum processions were brought out in the district amid strict security measures. All exit and entry points in the city were closed and many police and Rangers personnel were deployed in the city to ensure peace during the day.

NAWABSHAH: The city’s main procession emerged from Murtazvi Imambargah in Mohni Bazaar and reached Masjid road where the mourners held matam. The procession returned to the same Imambargah where Sham-i-Ghariban was organised.

BADIN: All Chehlum processions concluded peacefully in the district. In Badin, a big procession was taken out from Markzi Imambargah Kashyana-i-Zenab which had to pass flooded roads before returning to the starting point.

MIRPURKHAS: Chehlum processions were brought out like other areas of the country amid strict security arrangements.

The processions marched through traditional routes before arriving at Makhan Shah Imambar­gah where food was distributed among mourners.

Similar processions were taken out in Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Jhuddo, Naokot, Tando Jan Mohammad and Kot Ghulam Mohammad.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2019