Amid tight security, Youm-e-Ashur to be observed today

Pillion-riding banned, cellular services suspended and CCTV cameras installed at sensitive locations

ISLAMABAD:

Muslims would observe Youm-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, on Tuesday (today) with religious zeal to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his other companions, who had laid down their lives to preserve the uprightness of Islam in Karbala.

Federal and provincial governments have taken strict security measures to maintain law and order on the occasion. The law enforcement agencies have been put on high alert throughout the country to deal with any eventuality. Pillion riding has been banned and cell phone service suspended in various areas. Close circuit cameras have also been installed at sensitive points to keep a watch on Majalis and mourning processions.

Contingents of law enforcement agencies are patrolling sensitive areas. Zuljinah and Taazia processions would be taken out in all big and small cities and towns of the country. In major cities, processions would be taken out from Imambargahs.

Hundreds of ‘sabeels’ of milk and ‘sherbat’ will be set up along traditional routes of the processions on ‘Ashura’.  Mourners will also distribute ‘langar’ among participants on the occasion. There will be complete ban on parking of any vehicle, motorcycle or handcarts on the route of the procession.

The administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have finalized arrangements to provide complete security to the processions of Zuljanah, Alam and Tazia.

In Rawalpindi, all the Ashura processions would culminate at Imambargah Kadimi in Mohalla Imambara. As many as 7,000 security personnel have been deployed in district Rawalpindi to ensure security of Majalis and Muharram processions.

The main procession of Islamabad would be taken out from Sector G-6 and culminate after passing through its traditional routes. Around 12,000 personnel have been deployed in the federal capital for security of processions. The routes of the main procession of Ashura have been sealed and streets on the route of the processions would also be barricaded.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2014.