All set for Chehlum processions

Security measures include 4,600 cops and cellular service suspensions

RAWALPINDI:

The Chehlum of the martyrdom of the grandson of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), Hazrat Imam Husain (RA) and martyrs of Karbala will also be observed in Rawalpindi city today, with the utmost respect and reverence as all arrangements have been finalised in this regard.

Majalis-e-Aza (mourning gatherings) and six main mourning processions of Zuljanah, Tazia and Alam will be held in the city. All these processions will culminate 12am at Imambargah Qadeem while passing through traditional routes.

Mosques along the routes will be closed except prayer times, while loudspeaker use will be prohibited except for Azan. The participants will be using walk-through gates to enter the processions.

Mourning processions will include the participants using chains and bemoaning. Zuhr and Asar prayers will be offered in congregations at Fawara Chowk. After that, a mourning meeting will be addressed by Allama Qamar Haider Zaidi.

After this, there will be an hour-long chain-sawing from Phori Chowk to Dengi Khoi Chowk in Rajabazar. This will be followed by an hour-long mourning with chains from Phori Chowk to Dengi Khoi Chowk Rajabazar. Participants will offer Maghrib and Isha prayers at Jamia Masjid Road.

The first mourning Zuljanah procession will depart from Imam Bargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohalla at 12:30pm, which will pass through Teli Mohalla, Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Iqbal Road and Alam Khan Road to join the second procession of Imam Bargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain at 1.30pm.

The third zuljanah procession will leave Imam Bargah Hifazat Ali Shah Bohar Bazar at 2pm and join the first two processions at Chowk Bohar Bazaar. The mourning procession of Imambargah Shaheedan Karbala will come out after Asar prayer and join the main three processions at Dingi Khoi Chowk.

The mourning procession originating from Imambargah Darbar Shah Bin Chirag at 3.30pm will join the main procession at the old fort Sarafa Bazasr Chowk. From here, five mourning processions and as many zuljanah processions will form a procession and go to Imam Bargah Qadeem.

The mourning Zuljanah procession of Imam Bargah Baltistania will leave at 12.30pm via Bani Chowk, Jamia Masjid Road and finish at Imam Bargah Qadeem at the Maghrib prayer. Before the processions, there will be mourning gatherings in which eminent religious scholars will present the philosophy of Hazrat Hussain (RA)'s martyrdom.

Security preparations have been completed with the deployment of 4,600 policemen, rangers and civil defence volunteers. Around 350 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed for the monitoring of procession routes.

Mobile phone and internet service will be suspended today, air surveillance will be conducted, and route sides, houses, shops and plazas will be completely sealed.