In defiance: Thousands of mourners remember Karbala martyrs

Despite security threats, mourners gathered at annual route in huge numbers.

ISLAMABAD:

More than 40,000 people gathered in the capital to pay tribute to the martyrs of Karbala at the Asna Ashri Imambargh in Sector G-6/2 on Thursday, the 9th of Muharram.

Ashura procession is taken out a day early in Islamabad as residents of the capital go to Rawalpindi for the main 10th Muharram procession. Mourners from in and around Islamabad, most dressed in traditional black attire, thronged the imambargah to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussain, one of Prophet Muhammad’s grandsons.

People had to zig-zag their way to G-6 as most main roads were closed for vehicles and even pedestrians did not know the right way to the procession as streets were randomly blocked.

Mourners were reciting poems recalling the tragic events at Karbala and marking Hussain’s sacrifice. The procession passed by its traditional route and terminated back at the G-6 imambargah in the evening.

People had parked their vehicles on the greenbelts as barbed wires had blocked the main entry points. Large contingents of police, commandos and Rangers officials were guarding the procession. However, despite the security threats, there were only two walk-through gates at the main entry and exit point for men and there was little or no security measures for women.

Only three women constables were deputed, all of whom were sitting inside a tent installed at the main entry point and had no metal detectors to search people or their hand bags.

“We are fine like this, once we put on our uniforms, we feel secure and strong,” said Assistant Sub Inspector Kulsoom, who had been on duty since 7am.

None of the security guards at the main entry point asked people for national identity cards as had been announced a day earlier.

People were carrying cell phones and cameras and could be seen going in and out of the tents placed at the borders of the procession routes.

Meanwhile, talking to The Express Tribune, Rangers officials standing near the imambargah expressed their complete satisfaction with the security measures.

“Over 100 officials have been deputed here since 7am along with the Islamabad Police and anti-terrorist squad personnel,” said Qaiser, Rangers official.

“We have not seen anything suspicious, but we are still on high alert,” said Asif.

Medical camps were also established at regular intervals to provide first aid to mourners in case of an emergency, with Rescue 1122 and Capital Development Administration ambulances also on hand.

“Five people have been severely injured while striking themselves with chains and were taken to Polyclinic Hospital to get stitches, while one fainted due to low blood pressure,” said Amir Hameed, an Edhi Foundation staffer at a medical camp along the route.

Zahra Hussain sat with her cousins in an under-construction building reciting poems and explaining the significance of Karbala. Hussain said the security situation did not keep them from participating in the procession.

“Every year there are security threats. It is not something new. Stopping us from practicing this annual ritual is tantamount to might stopping us from practicing Islam,” she said.

Sadaf and her friend Zehra were distributing water bottles among the crowd. “We are doing this for everyone. It’s a part of our duty help the mourners” said Sadaf.

Several groups of mourners had descended on the capital from areas as far as Gilgit and Parachinar to take part in the procession. Zaheer Abbas was part of a group that would go to Peshawar for the main Ashura procession. “It’s very interesting to witness this group that is reciting prayers in Farsi,” said Zehra Batool, who stood on the side with her mother to witness the procession.

With no garbage disposal arrangements made, food wrappers and empty water bottles were scattered all over the procession route. Eight CDA cleaners were picking up trash and cleaning the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2013.