On the ninth day of the Islamic month, Muharram processions and Majalis are being held throughout the country to honor the great sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala.
The Battle of Karbala took place on 10 October 680 in the Iraqi city of Karbala. It was fought between the army of the second Umayyad dynasty, led by Caliph Yazid I, and the family and followers of Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RA), the cherished grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his family arrived in Karbala on the third of Muharram and set up camp there. Yazid feared that the grandson of the Prophet (PBUH) would usurp his throne, so he dispatched an army of 4,000 men to eliminate them all. On the seventh day of Muharram, on the orders of Yazid I, Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), his family, and companions were denied access to water, resulting in their dehydration and the deaths of many. Then on the 10th of Muharram, known as Youm-e-Ashur, Yazid forces brutally slaughtered the clan of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).
In the month of Muharram, Muslims around the world mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his family members, including women and children.
In Islamabad, the main Muharram procession will depart from Isna Ashri Imambargah in G-6 II. After the Zohr prayers, the Azadari, Taazia, and Zuljinah flags will be removed.
The procession will pause for a while at Lal Quarter Chowk after traversing its traditional routes. The next stop will be at 1-2 Stop, where mourners will receive Hussaini Langar (food). Later, the procession will conclude at the same location where it began, Isna Ashri Imambargah.
Sabeel Ali Asghar and Sabeel Syeda Sakina will be installed along the entire route of the procession.
The main 9th of Muharram procession in Lahore began on Nicolson Road. The Zuljinah image was removed from Pandu Street in Islampura.
The custom of departing Islampura for Muharram processions dates back to 1947. Since then, processions have been held continuously throughout the holy month of Muharram.
The Lahore traffic police have devised a detour route from Islampura to Khaima Sadaat in preparation for the Muharram processions.
CTO stated that SP Traffic Shahzad Khan would personally oversee traffic arrangements. During Ashura, a large number of security personnel supervised by four DSPs would perform security duties.
The CTO added that the routes would be closed for only a few minutes, as they would be reopened to traffic as soon as the processions passed.
However, the following routes would be closed to traffic: Pandu Street from Sanda Road, Block Syedan, Chowk Sanda Khurd, Haider Road, Noori Building, Neeli Bar Chowk, Civil Secretariat, Chowk PMG, Chowk Istanbul, Church Chowk, Library Road, Tollinto Market Road, Old Anarkali, AG Office, Baba Mauj Darya, Chowk Jain Mandir, Edward Road, Farid Kot Road
The main 9th of Muharram procession in Karachi departed from Liaquatabad. The mourners are performing Azadari while reciting Noha Khwani (mourning lyrics).
The procession in Peshawar left Imam Bargah Hussainia Hall at 10 a.m., whereas the main procession in Quetta will leave Mekangi Road at 1:30 p.m.
On Ashura, mobile service will be suspended.
Extensive precautions have been taken to prevent any untoward incidents during the funeral processions, and mobile services will remain partially suspended in a number of cities.
On Ashura, the Punjab government has decided to suspend mobile phone service in all of the province’s major cities (Tuesday). From 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., the service will be unavailable in all major cities.
In accordance with a decision made by the government of Punjab, mobile phone service will be suspended in the procession routes and adjacent populations.
In Rawalpindi, mobile phone service will be unavailable in Hamza Camp, Pandora, Syedpur Road, Asgar Mall Road, and Pirwadhai, as well as their environs.
In Raja Bazaar, Commercial Market, Sadiqabad, Glass Factory, Waris Khan, Zafarul Haq Road, Transformer Chowk, and Taxila, mobile phones will also be turned off.
