RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chehlum of Nawasa-e-Rasool Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his 72 diehard companions was observed with religious spirit, devotion and respect throughout the country Tuesday for survival of religion and Shariat and to give eternal lease of life to high values of humanity. Majalis Arbaeen-e-Hussaini were held and Zuljinah, Alam and Tazia processions were taken out in all big or small cities and towns on this occasion.

In Rawalpindi, main Chehlum procession was taken out from Imambargah Col. Maqbool Hussain and Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah Bohar Bazar. Zuljinah procession taken out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohallah merged into the main procession. Mourners of Imam Hussain (A.S.) performed Zanjeer-Zani and presented ‘Pursa’ of the Imam Aali Muqam (A.S.) to the Holy Prophet (SAW) on this occasion. The Quaid-i-Millat Jafariya, Pakistan, Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi participated in the procession, offered Ziarat of the taburrakaat and performed Matamdari.

Agha Moosavi while talking to media representatives on this occasion said that Hussain Ibne Ali (A.S.) presented exemplary sacrifice in Karbala for the supremacy of religion, Shariat and humanity as a result of which oppressed nations have launched independence movements today. He said Pakistan came into being in the name of Islam the official religion of which is Islam. Answering a question he said there could not be two opinions that punishment for blasphemy is death but it is the job of judiciary to decide what is meant by blasphemy. They should give simple explanation of the same so that everyone could understand it and should not take the law into their own hands.

Agha Moosavi said like no changes could be made in Quran, similarly no one could add or remove the commandments of religion and Shariat and no one is allowed to do so because the Halal declared by Hazoor (SAAW) is Halal and Haram declared by him (SAAW) is Haram till the Day of Judgement. He said those who are convinced of Hurmat-e-Risalat (SAAW) from the core of their heart should give practical proof of their devotion with Rasool (SAAW), Aal-e-Rasool (A.S.) and pious Sahaba Kubaar by participating in Azadari and Milad-un-Nabi processions. Otherwise, he added, we would be justified to understand that like Shariat was used by Ummayad to save their governments and Zia’s tyranny used it to consolidate his rule, similarly they desire to achieve their goals by making an issue out of religious topics only. He said Hazrat Zainab (S.A.) and Hazrat Zainul Abideen (A.S.) shattered the world of oppressors through their khutbaat.

The participants of the procession carried out Zanjeer-Zani and Qama-Zani in Trunk Bazar, Habib Bank Chowk and turned into a big rally after reaching Fawwara Chowk where addressing the participants, Central Secretary Information of Tehreek Nafaz Fiqh-e-Jafariya, Pakistan, Syed Qamar Haider Zaidi said Arbaeen-e-Hussaini is the memory of Aseeran-e-Karbala’s commitment and courage who shattered the Yazidi courts through their visionary and heart-rending addresses despite being chained so as to highlight the objective of Hussainiyyat. He said inheritors of the Hussain’s (A.S.) blood Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S.) and Sharikatul Hussain Hazrat Syeda Zainab (S.A.) through their khutbaat shattered the Yazidi courts and unveiled the fake Islamic face of Yazid. Ch. Mushtaq Hussain addressed the gathering on the topic of philosophy of Shahadat.

A resolution presented by Secretary General of Mukhtar Students Organisation Syed Aun Abbas Kazmi said that the sacrifice of the Imam Aali Muqaam (A.S) was the greatest and exemplary as he had given a tough reply to Yazid for contradicting the Islamic values and committing blasphemy. The Imam (A.S.) not only stopped him rather gave a new lease of life to Islam by sacrificing all he had. These Majalis, Matmi and Milad-un-Nabi processions are actually a continuation of that protest. Resolution condemned bomb blasts in Karachi and Lahore on arbaeen.

The resolution said that today blasphemy is being committed within and without the country on different pretext the penalty for which is death. If we are really sincere with Rasool-e-Akram (SAAW), Aal-e-Athaar and pious Sahaba Kubaar then we would have to give up using these holy personalities for our personal and party interests because these personalities never used Islam as a shield but whenever a bad time came to Islam, these enlightened people became shield for Islam themselves.

Strongly condemning the incidents of terrorism and target killings going on in motherland Pakistan for the last three decades, the resolution called upon all patriotic forces to utilize all their energy in making motherland Pakistan a hub of peace because our survival is linked with the survival of Pakistan, and we had to present many sacrifices for its creation. The rulers and politicians lost half of the country while rest of the half is facing difficulties. The resolution demanded immediate exodus of foreigners from the country so as to end to the Kalashnikov and heroin culture and suicide attacks.

The resolution lamented that two biggest Makatib i.e. Sunnis and Shias took part in creation of Pakistan are deprived of their rights. People belonging to a particular group are continuously made heads of Ministry of Religious Affairs, Islamic Council of Ideology, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and other important institutions. The resolution criticizing the efforts of polluting the peace atmosphere through a planned conspiracy in Chua Saidan Shah and Dheri Hassanabad in Rawalpindi Region resolved that no one will be allowed to create rift amongst Makatib. The resolution said that Milad-un-Nabi and Azadari processions are the continuation of strongest protest since 14 centuries against those who committed blasphemy. All Muslims pay salute to the dignity of Nawasa-e-Rasool without any discrimination and both main schools of thought Shias and Sunnis organize programmes to pay homage to Imam Hussain (A.S.) during Muharramul Haram and consider Hussainiyyat the biggest defence against those who commit blasphemy so much so that even the non-Muslims look Imam Hussain (A.S.) with respect and honour and respect his great sacrifice.

The resolution expressed concern that a large number of people have infiltrated in Chakwal like other cities of the country in the shape of Muhajireen. Therefore, the government should carry out search operation in all sensitive areas immediately and fix the culprits through setting up judicial tribunal to investigate the incidents of terrorism. The resolution called upon the judiciary to play its role in turning Pakistan into ‘Bostan’ and form a judicial commission comprising judges of the high courts to review the three decades of terrorism because no terrorist has been given punishment to-date. The rulers say they catch the terrorists but they are released by the judiciary. The resolution declared the contract appointments on the post of senior officers and extension in the service of judiciary an encroachment on the rights of the deserving people which is not supported in Islam. The resolution asked that when right of self-determination could be exercised for Christians in East Timor and Sudan then why it could not be done in Palestine and Kashmir. In this connection, the United Nations would have to give up duplicity in her character and would deliver the right of self-determination to Kashmiris and Palestinians so as to turn these regions into a hub of peace.

Another resolution lamented the print and electronic media for pushing both the recognized schools of thought to the wall and demanded that the media should fulfil their professional responsibilities fulfilling the norms of justice and fair-play. If special editions could be brought out for artistes, singers and actors then why they not publish such editions in memory of Mashaheer-e-Islam and important occasions like Chehlum of Shuhada-e-Karbala. The resolution lamented that media has limited their coverage to some particular parties that is contrary to the principles of journalism. In another resolution, attention of people at the helm of Education Department was invited towards an important issue that examination schedules are announced on the occasions of Muharram, Chehlum and Milad-un-Nabi which is tragic as a large number of students are deprived to participate in Azadari programmes. Therefore, they should avoid giving examination schedule on such occasions. The resolution called upon the rulers and politicians to exercise mutual understanding in Balochistan and learn a lesson from East Pakistan situation.

The resolution paid tributes to all schools of thought for displaying practical unity and brotherhood on the occasion of Ashra-e-Muharram and Chehlum. Federal Interior Ministry and provinces were also thanked for setting up Muharram Azadari Control Rooms on the call of Tehreek Nafaz Fiqh-e-Jafariya. It was resolved that the whole nation will prove on the occasion of Hafta-e-Wahdat and Akhuwwat, to be observed after the conclusion of Ayyam-e-Aza on 8th Rabiul Awwal, that no satanic force could create rift amongst Sunnis and Shias. The resolution said that we desire to make it clear that the eternal protest against those who commit desecration against Rasool (SAAW) and Aal-e-Rasool (A.S.) will continue in shape of Milad and Azadari processions till the Zahoor of Imam-e-Zamana (A.S). The resolution vowed to offer any sacrifice on the call of Quaid-i-Millat Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi for supremacy of the Islamic World, solidarity and development of the motherland, Wila-e-Ali, Aza-e-Hussain, and achievement of religious rights.

Later, participants of the main Chehlum procession performed historic Zanjeer-Zani in Raja Bazar. Zuljinah processions taken out from Imambargah Kashmirian Tyre Bazar and Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh also merged into the main procession at Purana Qila. The main Chehlum procession terminated at Imambargah Qadeem after passing through Jamia Masjid Road and Imambara Chowk. The participants of Zuljinah processions taken out from Imambargah Yadgar-e-Hussain Satellite Town and Imambargah Baltistania Angatpura performed Zanjeer-Zani at Banni Chowk. Both these processions terminated after reaching Imambargah Qadeem. Mukhtar Students Organisation installed Markazi Azadari Camp at Fawwara Chowk during the main Chehlum procession where arrangements for Sabeel-e-Hussaini were especially made. Volunteers of Ibrahim Scouts, Mukhtar Force, Civil Defence, office-bearers of District Azadari Committee of the TNFJ led by Convener Alhaj Ghulam Murtaza Chauhan, officials of the District Administration and a heavy contingent of police remained with the procession throughout.