Unfazed: Mourners vow to soldier on
Muharram 8 procession passes peacefully amid tight security.
RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:
Undeterred by the recent spate of terrorist attacks throughout the country including Rawalpindi, hundreds of mourners participated in the 8th Muharram procession in Islamabad, which ended peacefully amid high security. Heavy contingents of police, elite force and other security officials stood guard to ensure security for the procession that started from Jamia Murtaza in G-9 Sector and culminated at Jamia Sadiq.
The procession was led by Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Mosavi, who was surrounded by Mukhtar Force.
“The philosophy of Hussain is a driving force for us and we will not deviate from the right path and fear nobody but God,” said Shahzad Hussain, one of the participants.
The survivors of Wednesday’s suicide attack in Dhoke Syedan locality of the garrison city vowed to follow the teachings of Imam Hussain and fight against tyranny.
For Amjad Shah, who lost his elder brother Mushtaq Hussain, 55, and two nephews — Aun Kazmi, 17, and Shabihul Hassan, 9 — in the November 21 blast, the scene brought back memories of the loss of his father, who was killed in the 2005 Bari Imam blast. The passage of seven years and the loss of three more loved ones has only strengthened his resolve to keep attending processions.
“I will never forget what happened to my brother and…to my nephews. But when we go to processions, we mourn the death of Imam Hussain and his companions at Karbala. We appreciate his sacrifice for a just cause. We cannot be deterred from our just cause by some terrorists,” he said.
The organisers of the majalis and processions, however, should inform and coordinate with the area police and city administration about their planned timings, routes and expected gatherings. It is then the duty of the law enforcers to provide security and improve their vigilance during peak hours, he stressed.
Shaukat Abbas Jafri, one of the procession organisers at G-9 Sector of Islamabad, was not satisfied with the security arrangements, however. “We were contacted by the police and security officials just before the procession began to inform us there was no ambulance or first aid facility.”
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Yaseen Farooq dismissed the impression and said, “We were constantly in contact with all the organisers.” There were two mobile jammers, anti-riot force, Elite Force and community volunteers to provide security to mourners.”
Superintendent of Police (SP) Sajid Kayani said 500 police officials, including 100 traffic personnel, 50 special branch officials and 170 volunteers were deployed on the occasion.
Shazia, with her two children, attired in black dress, told The Express Tribune that the number of mourners in attendance this year was low as compared to the past, because of terrorist threats.”
Shazia, who lost two relatives in the Wednesday’s blast on a Muharram procession in Rawalpindi, said, “We are not afraid of the prevailing situation and I joined the procession to tell the cowards that we will not be cowed down.”
“We should unite to overcome all challenges as internal differences between Muslims are not serious enough to warrant bloodshed of co-religionists,” said Saima.
Touqir Shah lost two relatives in the blast, but was unwilling to mourn either. He said he attended a long mourning process from Sadiqabad to Raja Bazaar on Thursday night and would attend other gathering in the city during the next three days.
“We do not mourn our deceased during Muharram, we only mourn the martyrs of Karbala,” he said, adding that self-sacrifice had been the hallmark of the followers of Imam Hussain.
Tahir Kazmi, a member of a Shia coordination committee looking after security issues, said attendance at Majalis (gatherings) had not decreased at all after Wednesday attack.
“Young and old, men and women, all have been participating in the gatherings and procession with same fervor,” he said. On the 9th and 10th of Muharram, five large and 10 smaller processions will be taken out in the twin cities.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2012.
Undeterred by the recent spate of terrorist attacks throughout the country including Rawalpindi, hundreds of mourners participated in the 8th Muharram procession in Islamabad, which ended peacefully amid high security. Heavy contingents of police, elite force and other security officials stood guard to ensure security for the procession that started from Jamia Murtaza in G-9 Sector and culminated at Jamia Sadiq.
The procession was led by Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Mosavi, who was surrounded by Mukhtar Force.
“The philosophy of Hussain is a driving force for us and we will not deviate from the right path and fear nobody but God,” said Shahzad Hussain, one of the participants.
The survivors of Wednesday’s suicide attack in Dhoke Syedan locality of the garrison city vowed to follow the teachings of Imam Hussain and fight against tyranny.
For Amjad Shah, who lost his elder brother Mushtaq Hussain, 55, and two nephews — Aun Kazmi, 17, and Shabihul Hassan, 9 — in the November 21 blast, the scene brought back memories of the loss of his father, who was killed in the 2005 Bari Imam blast. The passage of seven years and the loss of three more loved ones has only strengthened his resolve to keep attending processions.
“I will never forget what happened to my brother and…to my nephews. But when we go to processions, we mourn the death of Imam Hussain and his companions at Karbala. We appreciate his sacrifice for a just cause. We cannot be deterred from our just cause by some terrorists,” he said.
The organisers of the majalis and processions, however, should inform and coordinate with the area police and city administration about their planned timings, routes and expected gatherings. It is then the duty of the law enforcers to provide security and improve their vigilance during peak hours, he stressed.
Shaukat Abbas Jafri, one of the procession organisers at G-9 Sector of Islamabad, was not satisfied with the security arrangements, however. “We were contacted by the police and security officials just before the procession began to inform us there was no ambulance or first aid facility.”
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Yaseen Farooq dismissed the impression and said, “We were constantly in contact with all the organisers.” There were two mobile jammers, anti-riot force, Elite Force and community volunteers to provide security to mourners.”
Superintendent of Police (SP) Sajid Kayani said 500 police officials, including 100 traffic personnel, 50 special branch officials and 170 volunteers were deployed on the occasion.
Shazia, with her two children, attired in black dress, told The Express Tribune that the number of mourners in attendance this year was low as compared to the past, because of terrorist threats.”
Shazia, who lost two relatives in the Wednesday’s blast on a Muharram procession in Rawalpindi, said, “We are not afraid of the prevailing situation and I joined the procession to tell the cowards that we will not be cowed down.”
“We should unite to overcome all challenges as internal differences between Muslims are not serious enough to warrant bloodshed of co-religionists,” said Saima.
Touqir Shah lost two relatives in the blast, but was unwilling to mourn either. He said he attended a long mourning process from Sadiqabad to Raja Bazaar on Thursday night and would attend other gathering in the city during the next three days.
“We do not mourn our deceased during Muharram, we only mourn the martyrs of Karbala,” he said, adding that self-sacrifice had been the hallmark of the followers of Imam Hussain.
Tahir Kazmi, a member of a Shia coordination committee looking after security issues, said attendance at Majalis (gatherings) had not decreased at all after Wednesday attack.
“Young and old, men and women, all have been participating in the gatherings and procession with same fervor,” he said. On the 9th and 10th of Muharram, five large and 10 smaller processions will be taken out in the twin cities.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2012.