Multiple targets: Both Shias and Sufis jolted by suicide blast

The suicide blast occurred midway between the Data Darbar shrine and the location of the chehlum procession.

LAHORE: Yesterday’s suicide bomber may have failed to hit the main chehlum procession for the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) or the devotees marking Hazrat Ali Hajveri’s 967th urs at Data Darbar, but both occasions were severely disrupted by the panic that followed.

The suicide blast, which killed at least 13 and left more than 70 injured, occurred at around 5:30pm at a police checkpoint at Urdu Bazaar chowk, midway between the Data Darbar shrine and the location of the chehlum procession.

The blast caused widespread panic at both gatherings. Many people began running away on foot.

Both Sufis and Shias have been targeted in multiple bombing attacks over the last year, so many had feared another explosion. Encouraged to do so by the police, most of them left the shrine and the mourning procession after the blast. Traffic, already thin as Tuesday was a public holiday, completely disappeared around the area.

The mourners condemned the blast as a cowardly act by enemies of Islam. Some said that they were staunch followers of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and vowed to continue with the procession as planned to show that they were not afraid. They assembled in front of Karbala Gamay Shah to beat their chests in mourning after Maghrebain prayers, but were sent inside the building on the request of the capital city police officer.

The procession ended about an hour earlier than scheduled.

Most devotees left the Data Sahib shrine soon after the blast, though the urs was not due to conclude until late night with special prayers for the prosperity of Pakistan and Muslims.

Procession

The day began as usual amidst great religious fervor as thousands of mourners began assembling for the main procession which started at Haveli Alif Shah at 9am. The procession passed through its usual route: Androon Dehli Gate, Mochi Gate, Mohallah Shian, Paniwala Talab, Masjid Wazir Khan, Akbari Mandi, Chowk Nawab Sahib, Nisar Haveli, Chauhatta Mufti Baqir, Chowk Purani Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazaar, Chowk Rang Mehal, Novelty Chowk, Bazar Hakeeman and finally, Karbala Gamay Shah.

Security was heavy and police pickets were set up at various points along the route. A helicopter surveyed the area from the skies above Masjid Wazir Khan. Many Shias, including Maulana Raja Nasir Abass Jafri, Pakistan general secretary of Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen, joined the main procession at Chowk Purani Kotwali and recited nohas and beat their chests.

A mourning majlis was held at the Karbala Gamay Shah mosque after Zohrain prayers. Zakireen highlighted the sacrifices of the Karbala martyrs while nohakhawans recited elegies. The organisers of the main procession installed sabeels of water and milk inside and outside Karbala Gamay Shah.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2011.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction January 27, 2011.

In an earlier version of this post, it had been said that the main chehlum procession was for the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (RA). The correct statement is that the main chehlum procession was for the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).