Chehlum processions culminate peacefully

The Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Husain (RA) and the 72 martyrs of Karbala, was observed with religious zeal and reverence. In Rawalpindi, seven large mourning processions of Zuljanah and Tazia and a mourning procession of Alam were taken out. All processions passed through their designated routes and concluded traditionally at Imambargah Qadeem.

The mourners of the mourning processions kept reciting, bemoaning and chaining at every intersection. Before the mourning processions, funeral gatherings were held in all the imambargah, in which the religious scholars shed light on the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain (RA) and presented the philosophy of martyrdom. After the meetings, processions were taken out.

Allama Hussain Maqdisi, the head of the Tehreek Nafaz Fiqa Jafaria, also participated in the procession. A large number of women and children mourners were also present in the procession. There were stalls of sweet drinks and tea at various places along the routes.

Mourners offered Zuhr and Asr prayers at Fawara Chowk, while Maghrib and Isha prayers at Jamia Masjid Road.

The main mourning meeting was held at Fawara Chowk at 3pm, where Allama Qamar Haider Zaidi addressed and presented the philosophy of martyrdom. After the meeting, an hour-long chaining bemoan was held from Fawara Chowk to Dingi Khoi Chowk in the entire Raja Bazaar. A large number of mourners, young people, children and elders participated. A large number of female mourners also accompanied the mourning processions.

The main first mourning procession started from Imam Bargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohalla at 12.30pm. It joined the second big mourning procession at Imam Bargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain through Murree Road Committee Chowk, Iqbal Road. When these two reached Bohar Bazar, Iqbal Road Chowk, the third mourning procession of Imam Bargah Hifazat Ali Shah also joined it. The procession of Imam Bargah Shaheedan Karbala at Dingi Khoi Chowk Raja Bazar joined these three zuljanah processions, while the zuljanah procession of Imam Bargah Darbar Shah Chan Chirag also joined them at Sarafa Bazar Urdu Bazar Chowk.

The zuljanah procession of Imam Bargah Baltistania was brought out at 1pm and the procession of Imam Bargah Yadgar Hussain came out at 1.30pm. Both mourning processions culminated at Bani Chowk, Jamia Masjid Road at Imambargah Qadeem.

The five zuljanah mourning processions finally culminated at Imam Bargah Qadeem by passing through the Purana Qilla and Jamia Masjid Road late at night.

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Caterers charge exorbitant rates for Chehlum meals

RAWALPINDI. All food catering shops across the city have increased the prices of cooked dishes on the occasion of the Chehlum of Karbala martyrs, as the prices of rice, spices, chicken, meat and other essential ingredients have also been increased in the open market.

Food catering shops on Monday fixed the price of chickpea rice at Rs11,000 per cauldron, while the price of chicken pulao was Rs19,000, chicken biryani was Rs22,000, mutton pulao was Rs28,000, Beef Pulao was Rs18,500, vegetable along with biryani was for Rs13,000 and mutton qorma was fixed at Rs28,500. Half a cauldron of five kilogrammes of pulao was also being sold as a more affordable option.

Meanwhile, chicken was being sold at Rs620 per kg, mutton at Rs2,350 per kg, beef at Rs1,400 per kg, curd at Rs240 per kg, tomatoes at Rs180 per kg and lemons at Rs650 per kg.

Faraz Abbasi, a catering shopkeeper, said that they had to increase prices out of compulsion because the number of orders were high. Citizens, Kamil Hasan and Hussain Ali, said, "Whatever the rate is, today is the day of Chehlum Syedul Shuhada. The cauldron will be cooked in any case."

Tight security measures

The police sealed off all the routes of processions and roads with containers and barbed wire early in the morning. Even the minor streets along the main route of the procession were sealed with barbed wire and barricades. The entry to the procession was only through the walk-through gates. Snippers were stationed at rooftops at four highly sensitive locations. 250 CCTV cameras were installed for monitoring. Military officials were also present in the control room from morning till the end of the procession.

Women police commandos were also posted in female areas. Standing and glancing from rooftops, balconies and windows was prohibited on all procession routes. The mosques in the routes of the procession were opened only during prayer times. Due to a public holiday, markets, shops and commercial centres remained completely closed.

The Metrobus service remained closed from morning till evening due to which the commuters faced problems. Motorists were given completely separate routes. The Rawalpindi Division Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, the Regional Police Officer and the City Police Officer also visited the processions in different areas and expressed complete satisfaction with the security arrangements.