NewsAshura being observed amid tight security
ISLAMABAD: Muslims across the country will observe Youm-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharramul Harram, on Tuesday with religious zeal to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his other companions who laid down their lives to preserve the uprightness of Islam in Karbala.
The federal and provincial governments have taken strict security measures to maintain law and order on the occasion. The law enforcement agencies have been put on high alert throughout the country to deal with any eventuality.
Pillion riding has been banned and cell phone service suspended in various areas. Close circuit cameras have also been installed at sensitive points to keep a watch on Majalis and processions.
Contingents of the law enforcing agencies are patrolling sensitive areas.
Zuljinah and Taazia processions will be taken out in all the big and small cities and towns of the country. In major cities, processions will be taken out from Imambargahs.
Hundreds of sabeels of milk and sherbat will be set up along the traditional routes of the processions on Ashura. Azadars will also distribute Langar among participants on the occasion. There will be a complete ban on parking of any vehicles, motorcycles or handcarts on the route of the procession.
The administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have finalised arrangements to provide complete security to the processions of Zuljanah Alam and Tazia.
In Rawalpindi all the Ashura processions will culminate at Imambargah Kadimi in Mohalla Imambargah. As many as 7,000 security personnel have been deployed in district Rawalpindi to ensure security of Majalis and Muharram processions.
The main procession in Islamabad will be taken out from Sector G-6 and culminate after passing through its traditional routes. Around 12,000 personnel have been deployed in the federal capital for security of the processions.
The routes of the main procession of Ashura have been completely sealed and streets on the route of the processions would also be barricaded.
Around 33,000 army troops and civil armed forces including Rangers, Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary have been deployed in different towns and cities of the country to ensure law and order.
The law enforcing agencies have been directed to remain vigilant and keep a close watch on procession routes and other sensitive points to ensure peace and protect the life and property of the people.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain urged the nation to promote love, peace, tolerance and brotherhood by shunning mutual differences as taught by Imam Hussain (RA).
“This is the only course towards deliverance from crises and achieving the peace and prosperity of Pakistan. The best method to pay tribute to Imam Hussain (RA) is to follow and promote his teachings,” said the president in his message to the nation on Yaum-e-Ashur.
He said, “Today we must ponder as what are the forces which had been posing threats to Pakistan and desire to disrupt national unity to fulfill their designs.”
He said Muharram is among the most revered months under Islamic teachings. This month was observed with respect even before the advent of Islam, he said.
The president said Youm-e-Ashur reminded us of the unmatchable sacrifices rendered by Imam Hussain and the incident of Karbala when he along with his 72 companions were martyred.
He said the incident of Karbala also taught a lesson to render all-out sacrifices for achieving noble causes.
“The very act of sacrifice has been titled as Uswah-e-Shabbiri (model of Shabbir) that teaches us steadfastness for the supremacy of the truth,” he remarked.
On the solemn occasion of Youm-e-Ashur, former president Asif Ali Zardari while calling for standing up to tyranny on the one hand and harmony and tolerance on the other has cautioned the people against those who were out to destroy sectarian harmony.
In a message on the occasion of 10th Muharram, the PPP co-chairman said that as the embodiment of nobility, courage and sacrifice, Hazrat Imama Hussain (RA) has a unique place in the history of Islam whose name will continue to inspire men and women anywhere particularly in the Muslim world.
Imam Hussain stands at the apex of those who have blazed the path of truth and righteousness with their blood, he said adding, “It is hard to find a parallel example of supreme sacrifice in the annals of history”.
An important lesson of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s (May Allah be pleased with Him) martyrdom is that oppression, tyranny, and falsehood must be resisted at all costs, he said.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk