A NUMBER of ulema may have pledged their support but unfortunately they are not the ones calling the shots. The sectarian terrorists in our midst swear allegiance only to their controllers or the rabid 'clerics' that are eating away at the very soul of the country. They are not answerable to moderate members of the clergy for the simple reason that sectarianism is rooted in extremism. In the last week of December, ulema in Peshawar and Karachi assured the government of their full cooperation in maintaining peace during the month of Muharram. Sadly, their welcome words amount to little more than a gesture, however wholesome. Those who subscribe to sectarianism clearly have nothing in common with rational, thinking human beings. They thrive on undiluted hate for anyone who was born into another sect of Islam and the words of moderate clerics are more likely than not anathema to them.

It is not yet clear if the suicide bombing in Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday targeted policemen in their capacity as symbols of the state or because they were posted near an imambargah. But D.I. Khan has a history of attacks on Shias, and as such a sectarian link cannot be ruled out right away. In any case, it is clear that security personnel across the country must be extraordinarily vigilant to thwart those looking to create chaos during the month of Muharram. To be fair, it must be said that the law-enforcement agencies cannot possibly screen each and every person in a procession that may run into tens of thousands of people. A suicide bomber is almost impossible to disarm once he has reached the scene of the crime. Just as suicide bombers affiliated with the Taliban must be tracked down and caught before they can carry out their missions, what is required here are preventive measures and this is where the intelligence agencies must play their role. That said, the police and if need be other security personnel must be deployed in strength around imambargahs and other potential targets. Taking a cue from what was successfully tried last year, the law enforcers should represent the outer cordon of security. Frisking people entering a place of worship should be left to volunteers from within the community. This serves two purposes ordinary citizens do not resent body searches by community members, and it can also be argued that volunteers may be more adept at spotting 'outsiders'. We must strain every sinew to make this a peaceful Muharram, a time of solemn remembrance.