Youm-e-Ali marked with religious fervour in Karachi

Procession mourning martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (RA) ends peacefully

KARACHI: Amid rigorous security, the central procession to mark the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (RA) culminated peacefully at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian in Kharadar on Wednesday.

Several smaller processions originating from different parts of the city converged at Nishtar Park into the central procession where noted scholar Maulana Kumail Mehdavi addressed participants and highlighted various noble aspects of the life of Hazrat Ali (RA).

In his address, Maulana Mehdavi said that Hazrat Ali (RA) was brought up under the shadow of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) which is why he is considered a treasurer of knowledge and symbol of tolerance, bravery, generosity and eloquence even today.

The scholar stressed that Hazrat Ali (RA) had played an exemplary role in serving Islam and bravely confronted the enemies of religion and Sharia, while shattering the foundations of oppression, brutality and suppression till his martyrdom.



After the address, the procession set off from Nishtar Park under the leadership of the Abu Turaib Scouts. It passed through MA Jinnah Road where mourners offered their Zuhr prayers. The arrangements for the prayers were made by the Imamia Students Organisation (ISO).

After the Zuhr prayers, the Shia Missing Persons Release Committee (SMPRC) held a protest demanding the immediate recovery of missing persons from across the country. A large number of the family members of missing persons, including women and children, also participated in the sit-in.

“Over 140 of our people are missing across the country,” claimed Rashid Rizvi, a leader of the SMPRC. “We want to ask by which law have they been abducted?”

The committee and family members and relatives of the missing persons demanded the Chief of Army Staff and Chief Justice of Pakistan to help them recover their loved ones before Eidul Fitr.



The procession restarted from MA Jinnah Road and made its way towards its traditional destination, passing through Empress Market, Regal Chowk, Preedy Street and Kharadar, before ending peacefully at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian. Thousands of mourners, including women and children, took part in the procession.

Strict security arrangements were made across the city, especially on the route of procession, to avert any untoward incident. The police and other law enforcement agencies had made foolproof security arrangements.

At least 5,572 police officers and constables performed duties in the metropolis on Youm-e-Ali, while at least 72 police vehicles, 65 motorcycles, seven armoured vehicles were also the part of the security plan for the Youm-e-Ali procession.

The home department had already imposed a ban on pillion riding in Karachi and Hyderabad for Youm-e-Ali, stating that the decision was taken after additional inspector-generals of Karachi and Hyderabad requested for the ban in light of security concerns.



Thousands of volunteers, who were deployed for security of the procession, cordoned off the entire route with the help of police and Rangers personnel. The city police claimed to have made foolproof security arrangements for the safety of the mourners along the route of the procession.

All streets and alleyways adjoining the main MA Jinnah Road were sealed to prohibit entry of irrelevant persons and vehicles, while all nearby markets remained closed on the directions of the provincial government.

Apart from the religious organisations, including the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, ISO and Shia Ulema Council, several civic bodies such as the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation had also set up first-aid medical camps at different spots along MA Jinnah Road to facilitate the mourners.