Youm-e-Ashur Today: Pakistan to Observe with Religious Sanctity                              
By Shoaib Jabbar with Altaf Hamid Rao 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondents

ISLAMABAD: Youm-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, marking the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) is being observed with reverence and solemnity across Pakistan and Azad Kashmir today, Tuesday.

As part of the day-long events, special prayers were offered in Mosques and Imambargahs after Fajr prayers.

Tazia, Alam and Zuljinah processions will be taken out in all the cities and towns which after passing through their traditional routes shall terminate at main Imambargahs.

Amid high alert, the law enforcing agencies and police have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure peace and congenial atmosphere for the day.

A number of first-aid medical camps have also been established along the routes of processions by public and private organizations. Water and sharbat sabeels (stalls of sweet water) have been set up to facilitate the mourners.

In Islamabad, the main procession of Alam and Zuljinah is scheduled to be taken out by the mourners from Markazi Imambargah G-6/2 Sector. Zakirs, Naatkhwans and religious scholars shall highlight the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions who embraced Shahadat (Martyrs) for the supremacy of justice.

In Rawalpindi, the procession is to be taken out from Imambargah Col. Maqbool Hussain, College Road and Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah, Bohar Bazar. Many other processions, taken out from various Imambargahs shall also join the respective major procession in the twin cities.

In Karachi, main Zuljannah procession will be taken out from Nishtar Park and passing through its traditional route shall culminate at Imambargah Husainian Iranian, Kharadar. Markazi majlis will also be held at Nishtar Park and to be addressed by noted scholar Allama Talib Jauhri.

The Youm-e-Ashur will also observed with due reverence and solemnity in Lahore where the main Zuljannah procession was taken out from Nisar Havely, inside Mochi gate at midnight and shall terminate at Karbala Gamey Shah.

In Peshawar, Zuljinah processions are to be taken out from Sain Gulab Shah Imam Bara, Imam Bargah Haidria and Imam Bargah Bibi Sahiba.

The day is to be observed in Quetta as well with reverence and solemnity. Tazia and Zuljinnah procession are to be taken out from Alamdar Road in the morning while small processions, taken out from various Imambargahs shall also join the main procession.

The procession would pass through its traditional route Toghi Road, Mission Chowk, Liaquat Bazaar and Prince Road and terminated in Imambargahs on Alamdar Road. Majalis-i-Sham-i-Ghariban were held in the evening at all Imambargahs in the city

Processions of 9th Muharram

Meanwhile, thousands of mourners countrywide participated in the 9th Muharram processions held to pay homage to the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) at Karbala.

In Karachi, the main procession of 9th Muharram, which was taken out from Nishter Park, ended peacefully on Monday.

Earlier, various small processions, taken out by mourners from different parts of the city, also reached at Nishter park. Later, the main procession after passing through its specific route reached at M.A. Jinnah Road.

The participants of the procession also offered the Namaz-e-Zohar (Mid-day Prayers). On the routes of the procession various stalls were set up at different spots beside roads to provide water and other facilities to mourners.

In Quetta, the procession started from the Imambargah Nasirul-Uza and after passing through Mecongy road ended at its starting point.

Camps had been set up at different places where free food, drinks and other refreshments were provided to the mourners.

The Muharram procession in federal capital Islamabad, which was taken from Markazi Imambargah Asna-e-Ashri at G-6/2 sector ended peacefully.

The procession after passing through its traditional routes culminated at the same Imambargah after Isha prayers.

A large number of Azadaran attended the mourners' procession, while 'Majalis' were held to highlight the great sacrifices and to pay homage to the martyrs of Karbala.

Zakirs and Naat Khwan and religious scholars shed light on the supreme sacrifices by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions.

Heavy Security

Heavy contingent of Police and Ranger, were also deployed across the country to provide security against any possible untoward situation, while teams of scouts were seen escorting the mourners to provide them safety.

Countrywide main Majalis-e-Aza being held besides the processions of Alam and Zuljinnah were also brought out on the ninth day of the Muharram-ul-Harram Monday amid stringent security arrangements all-over.

The ninth Muharram processions were also brought out in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The main procession in Islamabad came out from Imambargah at G-6/2, which after taking around on its fixed routes, dispersed at the same place.

Rawalpindi processions came out from the main Imambargah Col. Maqbool Hussain besides other Imambargahs of the city, which after passing through different roads ended in the afternoon.

The 9th Muharram main procession in Lahore was brought out from Nisar Haveli. Mourning processions to pay homage to the sacrifices of the Karbla martyrs were also brought pout at Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Dera Ismail Khan and all other cities and towns of Pakistan including Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas.

Stringent security arrangements have been made all over the country on this occasion.

Azad Kashmir

AJK Bureau Chief of ‘Pakistan Times’ Altaf Hamid Rao adds from Mirpur; Ashura, the sanctified day of the global history and a unique icon of the supreme sacrifice, made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions for the cause of Islam is being observed with religious fervour, reverence and solemnity all-over the Himalayan State of Jammu & Kashmir on the 10th of Muharram, today, Tuesday with a steadfast resolve to fight against all types of despotic forces, wherever they exist, explicitly India to accomplish the cherished mission to take to the lofty magnitude, the magnificence of Islam at all costs.

The significant day will dawn with special prayers by the faithful at all mosques and Imambargahs on both sides of the LoC with Nimaz-e-Fajar.

Processions of Alam and Zul’jinnah will simultaneously be taken out from Imambargahs and which will later culminate at their fixed spots after marching through their tradition routes.

A number of social and political organizations as well as individuals will establish stalls and sabeels of juices and sweet water on the processions’ stipulated route to facilitate the faithful in each and every nook and corner of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

The hospitals will set to provide ambulances to go along the processions. Re-calling the martyrdom of Hazarat Imam Hussain (RA), Ulema and Zakerin during the course of the procession will deliver speeches highlighting the great essence of the day.

Like elsewhere in the country, the administrations of all the eight districts as well as the respective subordinate tehsil headquarters across AJK have made convoluted security arrangements to ensure safeguarding of peace and harmony during the course of Zul’jinnah, Alam and Tazia processions, starting from their respective stipulated Imambargahs and hefty contingents of police will remain alert in an amiable way till the time these processions reach their respective set destinations.

Majalis-i-Sham-i-Ghariban is yet another key event of the day where Nohas and Marsias will be recited paying tributes to the martyrs of Karbala.

Scholars, while stressing the need for evoking the great sacrifices at Karbala have urged all sects of the faithful to renew their pledge to work for the progress and prosperity of the country.

‘The event of Karbala inspires us to uphold the glory of Islam’, they said by adding that ‘we should not hesitate to render any sacrifice, even of our lives, for the great ideals of Islam.

They said, the Muslims the world over are mourning the great martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in a strong-willed way. Though the 10th of Muharram, the Ashura, is very important for diverse reasons, however, it gains special impact as Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA)'s martyrdom and the event of Karbala also occurred on this day.

They have urged the nation to work for creating an atmosphere of brotherhood, sacrifice and moderation by transcending their mutual differences.

"The best way to pay homage to the martyrs of Karbala is to make a zestful pledge on this day to work and devote oneself not only for the affluence of Pakistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir, but also for quickest freedom of the Kashmiri brethren, facing the bondage of the Indian tyrannical rule in the illegally, illegitimately, unlawfully, unethically, immorally invaded part of the charismatic state”, the occupied Jammu & Kashmir, they affirmed.

The martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) had earned an elevation for Islam and the Muslims; they said and added that his great sacrifice has given us the lesson that irrespective of the limited material resources and numbers, "the real power lies in the truthfulness of the objectives."

Hence the struggle against tyranny, initiated by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) along with his companions "is a shining minaret of humanity, patience, perseverance, courage and determination."

Keeping in view the message of this supreme sacrifice, which teaches us that tyranny, oppression and falsehood must be resisted no matter how heavy are the odds, the people of Jammu & Kashmir State will carry on their struggle till they day, they make India quit their sacred soil.

They urged people from all shades of opinion to rise above sectarianism, and instead forge unity among their ranks and dissociate themselves from all those elements who fan sectarianism and chaos.●