RAWLPINDI: Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Husain (AS) and his companions was observed on Monday amid tight security in and around the garrison city.

Three mourning processions were taken out from Imambargah Qadeemi, Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah and Imambargah Col Maqbool which joined the main procession at Fawara Chowk. The procession passed through its traditional route, including Asghar Mall Road, Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Iqbal Road, Raja Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Purana Qila and Jamia Masjid Road and ended peacefully at Imambargah Qadeemi Shahnazar Pul.

Thousands of people participated in the procession, with many wearing head bands inscribed with the names of the martyrs of Karbala. Mourners also flagellated themselves.

Several thousand policemen and personnel of the law enforcement agencies had cordoned off the entire route of the procession while barricades were placed on the slip streets and roads.

Special police force, bomb disposal squad, Rescue 1122, ambulance squads of hospitals and technical sweeping personnel remained on high alert throughout the day whereas police personnel patrolled the city in plainclothes. However, no untoward incident was reported from any part of the city.

Religious scholars, in their sermons, shed light on the significance of the supreme sacrifices rendered by ‘Shuhada-i-Karbala’. They cited portions from auspicious and thought-provoking addresses of Hazrat Zainab (SA), sister of Hazrat Imam Husain (AS), which she delivered in the court of Yazeed and elsewhere after the Karbala tragedy.

The Ulema called upon the Muslim world to follow in the footsteps of Imam Husain and inculcate the spirit of sacrifice for the glory of Islam.

Commissioner Aamir Khattak, RPO Babar Sarfaraz Alpa, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema and CPO Syed Khalid Hamdanivisited Committee Chowk to review the security arrangements.

Later, they also inspected the control room established in the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation and inspected the attendance of all departments. The district peace committee members reviewed the security and other arrangements in detail and issued necessary instructions.

RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa said the district administration as well as peace committee members, including scholars of all schools of thought, played their active role to thwart the nefarious intentions of the enemy. It is hoped that with the cooperation of all institutions, peace and order of Rawalpindi Division will continue in future.

Gilgit

Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Husain (AS) was observed across Gilgit-Baltistan with religious zeal on Monday.

Mourning processions were taken out in Gilgit, Skardu, Astore, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Shigar, Kharmang and Ghanche.

Thousands of mourners participated in the processions, which culminated peacefully at their destinations after passing through traditional routes. Personnel of police and other law enforcement agencies remained alert to deal with any untoward incident. Food stalls had been arranged along the routes of the processions.

Special walk-through gates were installed at the entry and exit points of the processions and Majalis were held in Gilgit. The Hunza and Nagar sections of the Karakoram Highway and Gilgit-Skardu Road remained closed during the course of the mourning processions.

Religious scholars shed light on the significance of Karbala and sacrifices rendered by Imam Husain and his companions.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2024