Amid tight security: Muharram processions continue peacefully

Road blocks cause traffic jams in provincial capital.

PESHAWAR: A series of mourning processions took place amid tight security on Sunday in various parts of the city to commemorate the 8th of Muharram.

Major roads across the city were blocked and resulted in traffic jams. All processions were carried out in a peaceful manner.

Security arrangements were beefed up at imambargahs as a large number of religious gatherings (majalis) were also held across Peshawar. Police personnel had been deployed and surveillance cameras were installed to monitor the situation. A large procession was taken out from Agha Najab Ali Imambargah at Kochi Bazaar at 3pm. Hundreds of mourners participated. The procession culminated peacefully a few hours later.

According to Khadim Hussain, a resident of Kochi Bazaar, religious gatherings will continue throughout Sunday night at all imambargahs. “These gatherings teach us to fight for righteousness, whatever the conditions may be,” Hussain added. Hussain said a series of mourning processions were organised for Sunday at various venues, including Imambargah Adil Baig at Kocha Raisaldar, Alam Shah Imambargah in Kochi Bazaar, Shaiba Imambargah in Gor Gathri and Haji Akber Ali Imambargah in Khudadad, among others.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2014.