Youm-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram was observed with due solemnity on Thursday to pay homage to the supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala.

To mark the Ashura, mourning processions were taken out in all the cities and towns of the country following coronavirus guidelines.

Ulema and Zakireen highlighted the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and various aspects of Karbala tragedy in these processions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBhe-6QI-LM

Elaborate security arrangements have been in place by law-enforcing agencies to avoid any untoward incident.

Television and radio channels presented special programmes throughout the day. 

Ashura processions

Shiite mourners took out processions in different parts of the country on the occasion of 10th of Muharram (Ashura), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In Karachi, a large number of mourners, including women and children, have joined in the main procession, which began from Nishtar Park and culminated at Imambargah Hussainyan Iranian, Kharadar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0WheQ2kLwk

Strict security measures have been taken as mobile phone service has been suspended along the route of the procession.

Participants of the procession offered Zuhrain prayers at Tibet Center.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqgNGfUQAHA

In Lahore, strict security measures have been put in place as the main Muharram procession, which was taken out from Nisar Haveli and ended at Karbala Gam-e-Shah.

A large number of people, including women and children, participated in the Ashura procession.

In Rawalpindi, the main procession, which was taken out from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool and ended at Qadeemi Imambargah.

Sabeels have been set up along the procession’s route to serve water to the participants which also include a large number of women and children.

Mobile phone service has been partially suspended in the garrison city while the metro bus is also not operating today.

Heavy contingents of police manned different areas along the route of the main procession while walkthrough gates have also been set up so that any unpleasant incident could be prevented.

In Quetta, the Ashura procession began from Neechari Imambargah at Alamdar Road.

Participants of the procession, after passing through Alamdar Road and Tooghi Road, finally assembled at Bacha Khan Chowk where they beat their chests to mourn the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

Zakireen, in their speeches, shed light on the supreme sacrifice given by the prophet’s grandson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BYF1d4JkAU

The mourners, after passing through different routes, returned to Alamdar Chowk.

In Hyderabad, the procession began from Qadam Gah Maula Ali under the auspices of Anjumane Haideri. The mourners beat their chests and recited Marsiyas. The procession culminated at Karbala Dadan Shah before Maghrib prayers.

In Tharparkar, the Muharram procession which began from Malook Shah Imambargah, reached Khokhar Muhallah Imambargah, while the main procession was taken out from Shoaib Abu Talib at 2 PM.

At Pakpattan, the main mourning procession was taken out of an Imambargah.

Strict security measures have been put in place in view of the occasion as a heavy contingent of police has been deployed along the procession’s routes.

The procession, after passing through its conventional routes, will finally culminate at Imambargah Nageena Chowk.

Side with truth, foil falsehood: PM Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the countrymen to pay tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) by supporting the truth and justice, besides thwarting every wicked tactic of the falsehood.

The Prime Minister, in his message to the nation on Yaum-e-Ashur, said through his practice, Iman Hussain (RA) had proved that one should always side with the truth and never hesitate to sacrifice his life for the cause.

He said Imam Hussain (RA), along with his companions were martyred after they refused to accept the aggression of Yazid. Imam Hussain preferred martyrdom to bowing before the tyranny, he added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsg9p9NgcwI

The Prime Minister said Yaum-e-Ashur had been a day of significance even before advent of Islam but its importance increased manifold owing to the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

He said the martyrdom of Imam Hussain was a tragedy which had been saddening the Muslims despite passage of centuries.

Prime Minister Imran said Iman Hussain (RA) had become a symbol of force against falsehood besides becoming a source of strength for all the movements fighting against tyranny in the times to come.

He said the battle between the truth and falsehood persisted forever and would also continue in the future, but "every time, we should support the truth and justice." The Prime Minister urged the countrymen not to desist from sacrificing the life for the supremacy of the principles for what Imam Hussain sacrificed his life.

He said through his sacrifice, Imam Hussain gave a message that the truth would always prevail despite suppressing efforts but the falsehood was destined to face annihilate.

The Prime Minister prayed to Allah Almighty to revive in ourselves Imam Hussain s spirit of martyrdom, sacrifice and truth so that we should be ready to render every sacrifice for the supremacy of country and nation.

He also advised the countrymen to ensure the implementation of the anti-COVID-19 SOPs for the country s protection against the pandemic.

President’s message
President Dr Arif Alvi has said the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) is a symbol of determination and perseverance, and urged the nation to rise above hatred, malice and sectarianism in line with his teachings.

“We have to prepare ourselves for all kinds of sacrifices by becoming a metaphor of determination and stability for our religion, nation and country,” the president said in his message on Youm-e-Ashur, in remembrance of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain.

President Alvi said following such pathway leads to the success in the world and the hereafter. He said Ashura has a special place in the hearts of Muslim Ummah among several historic events.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dcn7Q5oZTU

On this day, he said, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) along with his family and other devoted companions had sacrificed their lives while fighting the forces of tyranny and oppression.

He said the immortal sacrifices had revived the spirit of Islam and even today, such character was a source of inspiration for the believers in the moments of trial and tribulation.

President Alvi said the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain was a great lesson for the Muslim Ummah.He said the best way to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain was to pledge about conforming to the lives in accordance with his teachings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQww9Bm7iRg

During the fourth wave of COVID-19, he said, the nation must observe precautions especially during the gatherings and processions of Ashura.

He urged the public to adopt precautionary measures and SOPs issued by the government and also get vaccinated for their own protection.

He prayed to Allah Almighty to grant everyone the strength to follow the example of Hazrat Imam Hussain and protect the country and the entire world from coronavirus.

Pillion riding banned, mobile phone services off

Pillion-riding has been banned throughout the country and mobile phone services have been suspended to avoid any untoward incident during Ashura processions.

The Punjab government has also made foolproof security arrangements. Control rooms are working round the clock while the Zuljinah processions and Majalis are monitored from their start to end in order to cope with any emergency situation. 

Rescue 1122 and hospitals have been put on high alert. Rescue teams will accompany the Zuljinah processions. Mobile medical teams and ambulances would provide first aid during the Zuljinah processions.

The administration of public sector hospitals has made special arrangements, to deal with any emergency situation during Ashura. 

Moreover, the main procession of 9th Muharram was taken out in Lahore from Imambargah Islampura, where the Azadars carried out flagellation, to pay tribute to Shaheed-e-Karbala.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed to deal with any untoward incident. Roads leading to the 9th Muharram processions were blocked to maintain law and order.