A peaceful Ashura passes

SIALKOT: The processions taken out on Youm-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram were uneventful save a few minor skirmishes.

A total of 154 tazia, alum and zuljinnah processions were taken out in the entire district. Police and civilian security forces (trained by the Rangers) patrolled throughout the festivities and moved with the traditional procession routes. “There were no major incidents and the few skirmishes between rival groups were immediately controlled by security officials on site,” said SP Cantt, Nadeem Yahya.

The Ashura processions terminated at the main imambargahs located outside Imam Sahib Chowk and Adda Pasruriyan. Other Zuljinnah processions from different areas merged with the main processions at Chowk Shaheedaan. Thousands of mourners walked among the processions and expressed participated in traditional mourning rituals by beating their chests and whipping themselves with metal chains to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

Zakirs and other religious scholars highlighted the significance of the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions, who sacrificed their lives for Islam.

Police officials reported that thousands attended the various majalis sessions during Ashura.

“We worked very hard to ensure that all the speeches made by the clerics were respectful and promoted a message of peace and harmony. We are happy with the results,” said Constable Ishaq, adding, “The narrative of Karbala delivered by the clerics was attended by hundreds without incident.”

“By and large the Ashura proceedings went by peacefully. There were a couple of incidents where rival groups were found brawling.

On one occasion we saw a group of men whipping two young boys with their chains,” civilian patrolling member, Ashraf Hayat said. But the police and rangers took control of the situation before it got ugly.

Jamaat-e-Ahle Sunnah Punjab’s nazim-e-aala, Allama Qari Khalid Mehmood, said that the incident of Karabala was remembered as a historical event that had set a lasting example of how a nation needed to unite and render sacrifices for upholding the truth.

Mehmood addressed a gathering of thousands and said that the jihad fought by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) along with his companions was a shinning example of courage, patience, perseverance and determination. He urged the country’s leaders to embody this spirit in their own dealings to combat the forces of extremism and tyranny prevalent today.

Residents from Sargodha said that they appreciated the great lengths taken by security officials to ensure a peaceful Muharram this year. “We were especially worried about Ashura this year given the overall security situation but we are proud of our forces for protecting us,” said 13-year-old Muhammad Arif Jalal.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2010.