RAWALPINDI:The Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions was observed on Thursday with traditional fervour amid tight security.

Three mourning processions were taken out from Imambargah Qadeemi, Imambargah Hazrat Ali Shah and Imambargah Col Maqbool that merged into a main procession at Fowara Chowk.

The procession passed through its traditional route, including Asghar Mall Road, Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Iqbal Road, Raja Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Purana Qila, Jamia Masjid Road and concluded peacefully at Imambargah Qadeemi, Shahnazar Pul.

Thousands of people participated in the procession. Children in the procession tied their heads with black bands inscribed with the names of the martyrs of Karbala. The mourners also observed self-flagellation.

Policemen and personnel of other law enforcement agencies were deployed in a large number who cordoned off the entire route of the procession since morning. They also put barricades on the slip streets and roads.

In their sermons, religious scholars shed light on the significance of the supreme sacrifices rendered by the martyrs of Karbala.

The scholars and ulema cited portions from the addresses of Hazrat Zainab, sister of Hazrat Imam Hussain, that she had delivered after the Karbala tragedy.

They called upon the Ummah to follow the footprints of Hazrat Imam Hussain and inculcate the spirit of sacrifice for the glory of Islam.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaqat Ali Chatha along with Regional Police Officer Syed Khurram Ali, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hasan Waqar Cheema and CPO Khalid Mahmood Hamdani visited the procession routes.

The commissioner reviewed the security arrangements and also observed the procession routes through CCTV cameras.All routes of processions were monitored by CCTV cameras. A traffic management plan was also made for the day.

Later, the commissioner visited Madressah Taleem Al-Quran Raja Bazar and met religious scholars. He said religious scholars should play their role for harmony and unity among Muslims.

The RPO said strict security arrangements had been made on the occasion of Chehlum with deployment of additional police force on the routes of the processions.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2023