KOHAT, Jan 8: The leaders of Shia community here have accepted the request of Sunnis for observing the chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) on the first Sunday after Safar 20 every year instead of Friday.

The district administration notified the event’s schedule here the other day.

The Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) is observed on Safar 20 in the country, except for Kohat and Hangu where it is marked on Safar 25 under the 1986 Junejo-Moosvi peace agreement.

As the event is to fall on Friday this year, chairman Sunni Supreme Council of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Javed Ibrahim Paracha requested Shia leaders and local administration to delay it fearing the Chehlum procession on the day may disrupt Friday prayers in Hazrat Haji Bahadar mosque and other mosques in sensitive areas.

To discuss the matter, Sunni and Shia leaders and bosses of local administration gathered at the office of Kohat district coordination officer Shahidullah Khan here.

Shia leaders led by central secretary general Tehrik-i-Fiqah-i-Jafria Pakistan Mazhar Ali Shah accepted the request and said the community was ready to observe the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) on Sunday (Safar 27) instead of Friday (Safar 25) for peace in the area.

Mr Paracha, who was also in attendance, expressed the hope that the agreement would be implemented in letter and spirit. He also urged the administration to ensure security of residential and commercial areas as the Chehlum processions were taken out in the area.—Correspondent