PESHAWAR, March 1: Zuljinah and mourning processions were taken out in the city amid tight security on Monday, the ninth of Muharram, to pay homage to Imam Hussain (RA).
The first procession emerged from Imambargah Hussainia Hall on Saddar Road at 10am and passed through many roads. Along the procession route, police had established pickets and were alert on rooftops of many buildings, besides escorting the mourners.
The city police had taken extraordinary measures following the suicide attack on an Imambargah in Rawalpindi on Saturday. Large contingents of the Frontier Constabulary, police, Civil Defence and scouts were deployed at all the Imambargahs and mosques in the city.
The health department ambulances were providing treatment to mourners. Earlier, speaking at a majlis at Imambargah Hussainia Hall, Zakir Syed Nasir Mehdi Rizvi threw light on the lives of Imam Hassan (RA) and Imam Hussain (RA) and the struggle they had launched for the cause of Islam.
Another Zuljinah procession was taken out from Imambargah Bibi Sahiba in Gorgathri in the walled-city at 5pm. It passed through many roads before culminating at the same Imambargah.
Mourners also brought out some 14 Alam and Tazia processions from different Imambargahs. All sensitive areas in Peshawar, particularly Kohati Gate and Qissa Khwani Bazaar, were sealed to ensure smooth passage of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram on Tuesday.
HARIPUR: A procession of Alam and Zuljinah was taken out. It started from Imambargah Hussainia Askaria Mohallah Motian and mourners, beating themselves with chains and reciting nohas, passed marched the traditional route. The procession culminated at Imambargah Qadeem.
Throughout the way, speakers highlighted the spirit of sacrifices offered by Imam Hussain (RA), his family members and companions for the glory of Islam. Stressing the need for following in the footsteps of Shuhda-i-Karbala, they urged the Ummah to forge unity against the onslaught of anti-Islam forces.
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Law enforcement agencies tightened security for Youm-i-Ashur to be observed on Tuesday. Personnel from the Frontier Constabulary, South Waziristan Scouts and police were deployed at all sensitive points, Imambargahs and mosques. Troops from Pakistan Army were patrolling in the city.
APP adds: The district governments in Peshawar, Hangu, Mansehra, Haripur, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank banned pillion riding, wall chalking, use of loudspeaker (except for Azan) and distribution of objectionable materials.
They also placed a ban on the entry of ulema, known for their fiery speeches, for two months. In all, 54 localities were declared sensitive by the provincial government, of which 17 are in Peshawar and 28 in D.I. Khan.
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