RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Chehlum, or the 40th of grandson of holy Prophet (S.W.), Chief of Martyrs and Mohsin-e-Insaniyat Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.), who gave eternal life to survival of religion & Shariah and lofty values of humanity, and his 72 companions was observed with religious and national spirit, devotion and respect throughout the country on Thursday like other global parts.

On this occasion, Majalis-e-Arbaeen-e-Hussaini were held in all four provinces including Azad Kashmir, Northern Areas and all divisions and districts, and Zuljinah, Alam and Tazia processions were taken out.

In Rawalpindi, main Arbaeen procession was taken out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohallah, Imambargah Col. Maqbool Hussain and Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah. Mourners of Imam Hussain (A.S.) performed Zanjeer-Zani and presented condolence of the Imam Aali Muqam (A.S.) to the Holy Prophet (S.W.).

The Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi participated in the procession, offered Ziarat of the taburrakaat and performed Matamdari. He prayed at the SAbil-e-Hussaini camp set up by Mukhtar Generation.

A large number of mourners also engaged themselves in heavy Zanjeer and Qama zani at Trunk Bazar and Habib Bank Chowk. The procession turned into a big rally after reaching Fawwara Chowk where addressing the participants, Central Secretary Information of Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya Syed Qamar Haider Zaidi said Arbaeen-e-Hussaini is the memory of Aseeran-e-Karbala’s commitment and courage who shattered the Yazidi palaces through their visionary and touching addresses despite being chained so as to highlight the objective of Hussainiyyat.

He said inheritor of the Hussain’s (A.S.) blood Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S.) and Sharikatul Hussain Hazrat Syeda Zainab (S.A.) unveiled the fake Islamic faces of evil Yazid making it clear on the whole world that Hussain (A.S.) came to the plain of Karbala for survival of Muhammadan religion and to save the dignity of pious human relations from Yazidi hands, and he made the flag of Islam flutter high for ever by sacrificing his blood unveiling his black deeds.

Zaidi lamented that in Pakistan that came into being in the name of Islam, electronic and print media give full coverage to all kinds of programs including musical ones but that have kept a criminal silence on the occasion of Chehlum of the Mazloom-e-Karbala (A.S.). He presented Masaib of Aseeran-e-Karbala’s return to Medina.

Ch. Mushtaq Hussain also addressed the gathering and highlighted the philosophy of martyrdom.

A resolution presented by Central President Mukhtar Students Organization Haider Abbas Bajwa was unanimously passed by the participants. It said Hussain (A.S.) is Mohsin of not only a specific group or school of thought rather of entire humanity. That’s why all have termed Hussain (A.S.) the very base of Kalma-e-Tauheed so as to say that Hussain (A.S.) is martyr of humanity, and Pakistan which is based on Basic Ideology – Islam - is under obligation to Muhammad & Ali.

The resolution made clear that whereas strikes and calls of protests are concerned, though it is included in fundamental rights but its worth noting that it was Hussain (A.S.) who taught how to protest, and as per a saying of Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Syed Hamid Moosavi no tragedy is bigger than Karbala and no protest bigger than Azadari which will kept continue till the elevation of flag of justice. These days are Hussain’s, and all powers should bear in mind that Muharram does not end on Ashura rather Azadari programs continue till 8th of Rabi-ul-Awwal. Therefore all are bound to care for dignity of these days.

The resolution said fuqara and auliya are respectable but fountainhead of faqr and walayat has been termed Khanwada-e-Resalat. If a holiday could be declared on occasions of urs sharif, funs, fairs and cricket matches, then why this could not be announced on Chehlum of Syed-ush-Shuhada (A.S.) while importance of Arbaeen-e-Hussaini is not less than Ashura? This is our basic right and all schools of thought equally participating in these mourning processions extend condolence to the court of Resalat. If the government finds problems in declaring this holiday then local holiday could be announced. In Lahore, more than one local holiday was announced marking urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bux which is right. However, ignoring Chehlum of Syed-ush-Shuhada (A.S.) is extremely regrettable. District governments across the country should announce local holiday marking this historic day.

Severely condemning terrorism across the world including Kashmir, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, participants of the Chehlum procession expressed complete solidarity with all oppressed and freedom-fighters, because terrorism is not only anti-Shariah rather anti-humanity. President Musharraf took sound steps for its rooting out, and issued Anti-Terrorism Act besides imposing a ban on radical groups but main task is implementation of these decisions. The resolution expressed grave concern on inclusion of banned outfits in government and opposition ranks. People see giving an open hand to these banned groups tantamount to sabotaging Anti-Terrorism Act and other measures taken by President Musharraf.

The resolution thanked the government for setting up Azadari Cell and Control Rooms in Center and provinces on TNFJ demand, and particularly appreciated Interior Ministry’s keeping a contact with TNFJ Central Control Room and practical steps for resolution of problems.

Denouncing forcefully silence of media on Arbaeen-e-Hussaini, the partakers said print media which chants freedom should had have published special editions but some newspapers even did not give coverage to announcements of chehlum majalis and processions.

The resolution while terming the setting of exams on Chehlum by some educational institutions as total injustice, made clear Hussain (A.S.) belongs to all; Hussain (A.S.) belongs to Allah, rather to whole humanity. Should people bring children to schools on Chehlum or participate in Azadari processions? The resolution demanded to take care of these days regarding examination schedule.

By the resolution, the Chehlum procession said Azadari programs continue till 8th of Rabi-ul-Awwal in the motherland like other global parts, 28 Safar marks demise anniversary of holy Prophet (S.W.) and martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.) while silent tazia processions are taken out on 8 Rabi-ul-Awwal, therefore local holidays be announced on these occasions and Azadari Control Rooms should continue their job.

While condemning non-coverage by private media channels to the last day Chehlum procession that was held in Federal Capital Islamabad, the resolution described this biased policy as main hurdle in restoration of peace and national harmony.

The resolution made clear that Maktab-e-Tashayyo equally sacrificed in formation of Pakistan, and would render sacrifices in future also, therefore their rights be fully cared of on equal level.

Strongly condemning the demand of Iraq’s so-called Al-Motamar newspaper that Maraje Uzzam should impose a ban on Sha’a’er-e-Hussainia, the resolution stressed that dignity and honor of Sha’a’er-e-Hussaini is in fact reverence of Sha’a’er-Ullah and Azadari of Mazloom-e-Karbala is a guarantee of dignity and respect of Sha’a’er-Ullah, while Zanjeer and Qama Zani is height of worships. No big to big taghoot could ever impose a ban on it, it added.

Participants of the main Arbaeen procession reiterated their resolve to fully follow every call by Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya for Mission of Wila & Aza and achievement of religious rights of Maktab-e-Tashayyo.

Later, participants of the main Chehlum procession performed historic Zanjeer-Zani in Fawwara Chowk. Zuljinah processions taken out from Imambargah Shaheedan-e-Karbala Tyre Bazar and Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh also merged into the main procession. The participants of Zuljinah processions taken out from Imambargah Yadgar-e-Hussain Satellite Town and Imambargah Baltistania Angatpura performed Zanjeer-Zani at Banni Chowk.

All Chehlum processions along with the main Chehlum procession terminated at Imambargah Qadeem.

Mukhtar Students Organization and Ibrahim Scouts installed a Medical Camp at Habib Bank Chowk, while central Azadari Camp at Fawwara Chowk during the main Chehlum procession where arrangements for first aid to mourners and for Sabeel-e-Hussaini were especially made. Langar-e-Husseini and Sabeel arrangements were made throughout the procession route by different religious, social and welfare organizations.

Volunteers of Ibrahim Scouts, Mukhtar Force, Civil Defense, office-bearers of District Azadari Committee of the TNFJ, government personalities, officials of the local Administration and a heavy contingent of police remained with the procession throughout.

Sajjada Nashin of Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh Bawa Syed Riaz Hussain Shah led the collective ‘Dua’ and read out Ziarat at the conclusion of the main Chehlum procession.