The 9th Muharram processions passed on Monday peacefully amid tight security in the federal capital and Gilgit-Baltistan except a minor incident of firing in Gilgit that created panic in the highly-charged city.
Thousands of mourners paid homage to the martyrs of Karbala by participating in processions in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Hazara Division and Gilgit-Baltistan amid tight security.
In Islamabad the main procession was taken out from Central Imambargah of G-6/2, which was joined by smaller processions from other parts of the city.
Mourners recited Nohas, Marsias and Salams in honour of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions who rendered unprecedented sacrifices in Karbala for truth and spreading true message of Islam. Carrying mausoleum replicas, alams, and flags the mourners beat their chest recalling the tragedy of Karbala when the tyrant forces of Yazid martyred Imam Hussain (AS) his 72 companions and family members. The procession ended at the same place after passing through its designated routes.
Strict security arrangements were made by the capital police; Rangers were also deployed to avoid any untoward incidents.
All roads leading to the site of the procession were blocked. The Islamabad Traffic Police had made special arrangements to divert traffic to alternative routes.
Law enforcement officials were also guarding the procession routes, standing on the rooftops of different buildings. To cope with any emergency, ambulances and fire-fighters were also deployed at different places and a state of emergency was also declared at all hospitals.
During the procession, Fazle Haq Road, Luqman Hakeem Road, Iqbal Hall Bridge, 7th Avenue, Saddar Road and Melody Chowk were closed.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmed said that 12 walkthrough gates were installed at different places to provide security to mourners.
He said that only two entrances were opened for participants to join the procession -- one was the main entrance to Central Imambargh, and the second was from G-6/1-2. Interior Minister Rehman Malik also visited the procession site to check the security arrangements.
Meanwhile, Tehreek-i-Nifaz-i-Fiqh Jafarya (TNFJ) chief Agha Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi in his message said that “Imam Hussain (AS), by refusing to bow before tyranny, withstood for righteousness and saved the true image of Islam and that his sacrifice for the oppressed people will never be forgotten”.
Gilgit
Unidentified men fired gunshots in the air on Monday, creating a scare in the highly-charged atmosphere of the capital city of the mountain region.
“We have arrested at least three suspects,” said a police official. The incident occurred in the Old Polo Ground area, where more than 1,300 personnel of police, Rangers and Gilgit Scouts have been deployed to ensure foolproof security during Ashura.
According to witnesses, shopkeepers closed their shops and fled after the incident, fearing a clash between rival sects in a town in which at least five people were killed and seven other injured in sectarian violence last month.
“The market was deserted in no time as people fled for safety,” said shopkeeper Basharat Hussain.
Apart from the heavy deployment of forces in sensitive places, army helicopters were also seen hovering over the city throughout the day.
At least 110 imambargahs in G-B have been declared sensitive. In addition, CCTV cameras had been installed along the routes of all major processions in the city.
Haripur
The main mourning procession was taken out from Imambargah Imamia Sajjadia Mohallah Motian and ended at Imambargah Qadeemia Mohalla Chowki police. Security was beefed up, deploying heavy contingents of the elite force, reserved and regular police.
Entry and exit points of the district were completely sealed off. The main bazaar and its link roads had been blocked since Sunday evening.
Law enforcement agencies placed walkthrough gates outside imambargahs and on roads, while mourners were only allowed in after being checked by police personnel.
Mourners beat their chests while nohakhwans paid tribute to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at Karbala. Shia scholar Dr Hasnain Raza Turabi said that the sacrifice of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family members was a lesson for Muslims and stressed on the need for unity among all Muslims.
Additional reporting by Shabbir Mir from Gilgit and Muhammad Sadaqat from Haripur
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2011.
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