TAXILA: The Chehlum of Imam Husain was observed amid tight security in Attock on Sunday.

The event marks the culmination of a 40-day mourning period after Muharram 10, the martyrdom date of Imam Husain and his 72 companions in 680 AD.

Mourning processions were brought out in the city to mark the day while foolproof security arrangements were made on the occasion. The main procession was taken out from Imambargah Panjtani.

“Karbala is a lesson which gives the message of upholding righteousness and truth by mankind for their eternal success and defeating the nefarious designs of devilish forces,” said religious leader Farhan Haider Aabdi while addressing a majlis at the imambargah.

He narrated the difficulties faced by Imam Husain and his followers for the glory of Islam, adding that Imam Husain was not only a great hero of Islamic history but also a symbol of unique philosophy and way of life. However, he said it was the need of the hour that we realised our responsibilities as a nation and defeated the designs of anti-Islam forces by promoting unity and religious harmony among our ranks.Later mourners offered Zuhrain prayers near Fawara Chowk. The procession culminated at Markazi Imambargah Hussainia at Kamalpur Syedan, Attock Cantonment. Strict security measures were taken by the law enforcement agencies to avoid any untoward incident.

The procession route was secured with barbed wires while police personnel were deployed on rooftops. Special mobile medical team of the District Headquarters Hospital Attock and Rescue 1122 provided treatment to the mourners and remained on standby in case of any emergency.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2023