ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain urged the nation to promote love, peace, tolerance and brotherhood by shunning mutual differences as taught by Imam Husain.

“This is the only course towards deliverance from crises and achieving peace and prosperity of Pakistan. The best method to pay tribute to Imam Husain is to follow and promote his teachings,” said the president in his message to the nation on Yaum-i-Ashur being observed on Tuesday.

He said the nation must ponder as what were the forces which had been posing a threat to Pakistan and wanted to disrupt national unity to fulfil their design.

He said Muharram was among the most revered months, adding that this used to be observed with respect even before the advent of Islam.

The president said Yaum-i-Ashur reminded all Muslims the unmatchable sacrifices rendered by Imam Husain and the incident of Karbala when he along with his 72 companions was martyred.

He said that the incident of Karbala also taught us to render all out sacrifices for achieving the noble causes.

“The very act of sacrifice has been titled as Uswa-i-Shabbiri that teaches us steadfastness for supremacy of the truth,” he said.

Mr Mamnoon said that by following Imam Husain’s teachings, the nation must set aside all biases and interests to promote Islamic and democratic values. “We must also vow to act for country’s progress and prosperity and not to avoid any step for elimination of terrorism and extremist mindset.”

He prayed to Allah for Pakistan’s peace, progress and prosperity and inculcation of Yaum-i-Ashur’s real message of sacrifice in our lives.

PM’s call to nation: In his message, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif urged the nation to ensure a peaceful Muharram, especially the Yaum-i-Ashur.

He asked the nation to support the government in its efforts to maintain peace and law and order in the country.

He also directed the law-enforcement agencies to ensure complete protection of the lives and properties of people.

“We are proud to be Muslims. We are one and the followers of Imam Husain and we are proud over the great sacrifices [rendered] at Karbala,” he added.

The prime minister said that the incident of Karbala gave the Ummah a lesson to renew its pledge to offer sublime sacrifices by always upholding the supreme values of righteousness and truth.

“With such yearning and passion, we have to prepare ourselves and each member of the nation to offer every sacrifice on the path of righteousness and truth, so that as a nation, we can remain steadfast on our path to real destination,” he stressed.

He said Imam Husain’s struggle reminded us to stand against every dictator and the system of injustice. It also carries a message of shutting all the covert attempts to seek power through back door and illegitimate means.

Published in Dawn, November 4th , 2014