City ready for Ashura Day

Strict security arrangements made to avoid any untoward incident

KARACHI:

Ashura is being marked with religious fervour and devotion to commemorate the great sacrifice of Imam Hussain (RA), his family, and his companions.

Like other parts of the country, processions of Zuljanah, matam and mourning on the martyrdom of the grandson of Holy Prophet will be held in all cities and towns of Sindh, including Karachi.

On Monday, the 9th Muharram processions culminated peacefully after passing through designated routes.

The main procession of the 9th Muharram emerged from the Nishtar Park, after passing through its designated routes it ended at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian in the Kharadar area.

At Nishtar Park, Allama Shahshah Hussain Naqvi addressed a Majlis drawing mourners to tears and wails as they remembered the eternal sacrifices of the martyrs of Karbala. After the sermon, the procession was taken out from Nishtar Park under the leadership of Hyderi Scots. The participants continued to mourn with devotion in the memory of Hazrat Imam Hussain, performed matam and azadari on the way.

The participants offered the noon prayer at Imambargah Ali Raza under the leadership of Allama Haider Abbas Abidi. Provincial Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Saeed Ghani reviewed the CCTV footage in the monitoring cell established by the Sindh Police at Police Head Office Karachi, visited the various routes of the procession, and reviewed the security arrangements.

Strict security arrangements were made on the passageways of the procession, while a large contingent of police and Rangers were also deployed. Snipers were stationed on tall buildings to tackle any terror activity. Mobile services were stopped on the procession routes as a part of the security measures. The main procession passes through MA Jinnah Road, Saddar Empress Market and Tibet Center before concluding at Hussainia Iraniyan ImamBargah in Kharadar.

Similarly, another 9th Muharram procession emerged at 9am from Jamia Masjid and Imambargah Shah Najaf Martin Quarter. The procession reached Nishtar Park through Jamshed Road before joining the central gathering.

Ashura plan

The main procession of Ashura Day will leave from Nishtar Park today Tuesday. Before the procession, Ashura Day sermons will be held at Nishtar Park at 8am. Allama Shahshah Hussain Naqvi will address the congregation. At the end of Majlis-e-Iza, the main procession will leave from Nishtar Park and move through its designated routes under the support of Buturab scouts, before ending at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian at Kharadar.

Reputable mourning groups will offer lamentation and mourning. Bottles of water and milk have been placed in the main procession routes, while arrangements have been made to distribute souvenirs to the participants. Scouts along with police, rangers, and other security agencies will be present for the security of the main procession. A congregational prayer will be organised by Imamia Students Organisation Pakistan Karachi Division at the Tibet Center at 2pm.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2022.