ISLAMABAD: Amid strict security measures the main ninth Muharram procession was held in the federal capital on Monday.

The mourners first attended Majlis-i-Aza and then brought out the procession from Markazi Imambargah in G-6 sector which passed through G-6/1-2, Melody Market and Polyclinic before culminating at the Imambargah.

The participants of the majlis and those who entered the procession had to pass through three to four security cordons where walkthrough gates, manned by Islamabad police and volunteers, were placed.

A large number of people, including women and children, walked barefoot to show their respect.

Due to heightened security, entry of food items into the procession was restricted. However, residents of G-6 sector and various social organisations had set up ‘Sabeel’, where tea and other edible items were offered to the participants of the procession.

At the procession, the mourners beat their chest and flagellated themselves.

On the other hand, commuters faced difficulty in reaching G-6 Imambargah as Jinnah Avenue and many other crossings were closed due to work on the metro bus project. Islamabad traffic police had made special plan to facilitate the general traffic.

For the first time, as part of the security plan, containers were placed at Melody Market and in front of GPO to cordon off the procession route.

Rangers had been deployed at sensitive spots not only along the procession route but also in other parts of the city.

The army is on a standby for the occasion.

Around 5,000 police personnel had been deployed along the procession route compared to 3,000 last year. As many as 1,000 security cameras were also installed along the route.

Earlier, the city administration had held meetings with various Ulema and the management of mosques, seeking their cooperation in ensuring peace in the city.

Imran Khan’s message Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Monday cancelled his daily sit-in speech at D-chowk, and forwarded a message with regards to Yaum-i-Ashur. He started off with a quote of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) - “One of the greatest jihad is to stand up to a tyrant ruler and say a word of truth.”

In his message, Imran Khan said: “Imam Hussain’s sacrifice shows us that living in peace under the forces of oppression is not acceptable in Islam.”

Mr Khan added that Imam Hussain was a symbol of spiritual liberation.

“He is not limited to one country or nation but has set an example for all mankind,” he said, adding that, “The martyrs of Karbala clearly showed by example that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to fighting for truth and justice.”

“We owe it to our children to tell them about the greatest sacrifice in the history of mankind and the lessons of sacrifice and refusal to bow before tyranny that it teaches us,” he added.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2014