Day of Demolition of Baqi marking: Report from Pak cities

By: Salman Alvi

KARACHI, Pakistan: Marking the Day of Demolition of Janna-tul-Baqi announced by leader of Pakistani Shiite who is also the chief of Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya, Pakistan (TNFJ), grand mourning processions, rallies and gatherings were held across the country on Shawwal 8, Wednesday.

In Karachi, TNFJ Karachi organized a protest rally at Karachi Press Club attended by people from all schools of thought. They demanded from the Saudi government to immediately reconstruct demolished shrines of Ahlul Bayt (AS), Sahaba Kibar (RA) and Ummahatul Momineen (RA) in Janna-tul-Baqi. They further called on the Pakistani government to exert pressure on Saudi Government under May 1985 Junejo-Moosavi agreement in this regard.

The rally was addressed by Organizer TNFJ Karachi division Allama Syed Mazhar Hussein Abidi, TNFJ Central Coordination Secretary for Sindh Ahmed Barakat, Syed Ismail Zaidi, Syed Hasan Raza Rizvi and many others. On this occasion, by a resolution, full support for Quaid-e-Millat-e-Jafariya Agha Moosavi was reiterated.

In Larkana, a mourning protest rally was taken out under the arrangements of Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya, Mukhtar Force, Mukhtar Students Organization from Ali Masjid Wadehi Rd at 11:00 AM led by TNFJ provincial President Syed Lutfullah Shah Lakyari, President TNFJ dist Larkana Syed Noor Shah, Provincial Deputy President Madhosh Bhutto (renowned poet of Ahl-e-Bayt a.s.), General Secretary Syed Ghulam Ali Shah, Provincial Vice-President MSO Syed Ayaz Hussein Najafi, President MSO Aftab Bhutto, General Secretary MSO Ghulam Ali, MSO Finance Secretary Madad Ali, Sabir Ali and many other elites.

Thousands of people as well as matmi organizations of the region attended the rally, which after passing through its designated routes reached Pakistani Chowk turning to a gathering. Different Ulama-e-Keram including Molvi Syed Raza Shah, Molvi Ghulam Shabbir Vadho besides TNFJ provincial President Syed Lutfullah Shah addressed and demanded the reconstruction of Janna-tul-Baqi urging world organizations including UN, OIC and Arab League to play role in this regard.

Later, noha-khwani, seena-zani and zanjir-zani were performed following which langer was served.

In Bhakkar, two-day (Shawal 8-9) grand Majalis-e-Aza to commemorate the Day of Demolition of Janna-tul-Baqi was held at Imambargah Mayi Khadndo, Mohalla Sadaat, Bhakkar City. Mukhtar Force Bhakkar was the organizer. Chairman Tehrik-e-Tahaffuz-e-Azadari Allama Agha Ali Hussein Najafi besides a number of renowned zakireen addressed. On this occasion, many protest resolutions were also passed.

In Peshawar, the day was observed with fervor by holding majalis and protest marches. Main procession organized by TNFJ Provincial Council NWFP was brought out from Imambargah Master Ghulam Haider Chowk Chah Shehbaz. The protestors holding banners and placards were demanding rebuilding of Cemetery of Janna-tul-Baqi demolished by Saudi Aal-e-Saud in 1926. Leaders of TNFJ, Ulama-e-Karam and local elites led the procession which after reaching ‘Shaheedon kay Chowk” got the shape of a protest gathering. Scholars belonging to different schools of thought addressed.

In Kohat, the main program of the Day of Demolition of Janna-tul-Baqi was held at Imambargah Sher-Kot under the arrangements of TNFJ district council Kohat. Syed Shabab Hussein Al-Husseini, Siraj Bagash and many other speakers addressed and demanded from the government implementation of Junejo-Moosavi agreement under which it is bound to exert pressure on Saudi government for reconstruction of Janna-tul-Baqi and Janna-tul-Moalla.

In Dera Ismail Khan, renowned speaker Allama Nasim Abbas Rizvi and many others addressed a mourning gathering held at Kotli Imam Hussein (AS) Eid-gah to mark the day. Thousands of people attended.

In Lahore, rallies were staged and majalis-e-aza were held marking the day. A majlis-e-aza was held at Karbala Gamay Shah. Thousands took part demanding the reconstruction of Baqi Cemetery. Following majlis-e-aza, a mourning protest procession was taken out attended by dozens of matmi organizations. Seena-zani was performed.

In Quetta, special programs commemorating the day were witnessed. The main program consisted of majlis-e-Aza and mourning protest rally was held at Hazra Town organized by TNFJ Quetta. The participants demanded from the government of Pakistan to pressurize Saudi government on diplomatic level for immediate reconstruction of Janna-tul-Baqi. A resolution adopted on this occasion vowed to say ‘Yes’ on the call of Quaid-e-Millat-e-Jafariya Agha Moosavi for the pious mission of Wila-e-Ali (AS) and Aza-e-Hussein (AS).

According to reports reaching TNFJ headquarters, the programs in connection with the day were also witnessed in many other cities.

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