ISLAMABAD :The main procession for Muharram 8 was taken out on Friday from Jamiatul Murtaza imambargah in G-9/4 and ended at Imam Sadiq imambargah in G-9/2 after passing through its designated route.

Participants paid tribute to the martyrs of Karbala and the sacrifices rendered by Imam Husain while local residents offered water, sharbat and tea to them. The procession was held amid strict security arrangements; mobile voice and data services remained suspended in areas near the procession route.

Tehreek-i-Nifaz Fiqh Jaferia (TNFJ) Chief Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi led the procession and later spoke to the press,condemning all those who were spreading hatred, in the name of sect. He said that the government should fulfill its responsibilities and ban all such activities on social media.

He said: “Those who had termed Pakistan ‘Kafiristan’ were now conspiring to disturb the country’s solidarity and peace. Every individual and people of all schools of thought are free to follow their beliefs and nothing can be imposed on others.”

He said “nara-e-risalat and nara-e-haideri should be revived in the army” and pointed out that Islam was the ideological strength of Pakistan and those who always create disturbances in the month of Muharram were enemies of the state.

Taxila

Representatives from the Sikh community participated in the Alam and Zuljinah procession in Attock on Friday to promote interfaith harmony. The procession, taken out from Punjtani imambargah under the auspices of Anjuman-e-Janisarhan Hussain, was attended by people from all over the city.

Participants recited nohas in groups, performed zanjeer zani and matam, and later offered Zuhr prayers at Fowarah chowk. Addressing the procession, Allama Irfan Abbas Qummi said that the Battle of Karbala teaches us that we should uphold virtue and truth for eternal success. Imam Husain, he said, is a hero of Islamic history; he symbolises a unique philosophy and way of life which draws a line of between noble and evil forces.

He said, it is need of the hour that we realise our responsibilities as a nation, promote unity and religious harmony among our ranks so the enemies of Islam do not succeed.

The procession, after passing through its traditional route, ended peacefully in the evening at the Hussainia imambargah in Attock cantonment. Under strict security, sabeel stalls offering water and milk were set up at different points, by organisers of the procession in collaboration with the Tehsil Municipal Administration. A special medical team along with Rescue 1122 provided medical aid to participants on the spot.

Following recent incidents of terrorism, law enforcement agencies had made unprecedented security arrangements for Muharram processions.

All roads, leading to the venue of the procession, were heavily guarded and procession routes were fenced with barbed wire. Officials from the Elite Force and rangers were present to handle an emergency. Personnel from intelligence agencies remained alert for identification of troublemakers. District Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani said that during these holy days, fool proof security will be ensured at all imambargahs and processions.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2020