Big processions, Zanjir Qama-Zani mark Ashura in Pak; resolutions adopted

By: Salman Alvi

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - February 20: Day of Ashoora in memory of Nawasa-e-Rasool Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his 72 sincere companions was observed with due solemnity and devotion throughout the country including Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas on Sunday.

The day began with Aa’mal-e-Ashoora in mosques. Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi led Aa’mal-e-Ashoora at Ali Mosque, Satellite Town. Masaib-e-Ashoora were also rendered on this occasion.

In Rawalpindi/Islamabad, main Ashoora Day procession was taken out from Imambargah Col. Maqbool Hussain College Road and Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah Bohar Bazar. Zuljinah procession taken out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohallah merged into the main procession.

Zanjeer-Zani was performed by mourners of Imam Hussain (A.S.) on this occasion. Zuljinah, Alam Mubarik, Tazia, Mehndi Shahzada-e-Qasim, Gehwara Masoom Ali Asghar, Taboot Imam Aali Muqaam (A.S.) and other taburrakaat were included in the procession.

Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Hamid Moosavi made special participation, offered Ziarat of the taburrakaat and participated in Matamdari. A large number of mourners engaged themselves in heavy Zanjeer-Zani and Matam-e-Qama at Bohar Bazar Chowk, Trunk Bazar, and Habib Bank Chowk.

The procession turned into a big rally after reaching Fawwara Chowk where addressing the participants, Syed Qamar Haider Zaidi, Central Secretary Information TNFJ, said the valuable sacrifice of Imam Aali Muqaam (A.S.) was for survival of religion of Islam and humanity. He said the great personality that was brought up in the lap of Risalat (SAW) accepted chopping off his head in Sajdah-e-Khaliq but by refusing the Bai’at of a debaucher and liar like Yazid preached the universal lesson for the freedom fighters for ever to confront the tyrant rulers and Yazidiyyat.

He said there is no monopoly of any sect over the Hussain Mazloom-e-Karbala (A.S.), therefore, promotion of Hussainiyyat is the responsibility of everyone. He said whenever a holiday falls on a closed holiday on Eid or any other festival, the government gives an additional holiday but, he lamented, that this practice was not exercised on Ashoora. Moreover, the District governments announce local holidays on Urs and match but they also ignored Ashoora totally. He said holiday on 11th Muharram should have been announced for the benefit of Azadaran.

Zaidi expressing his concern over the meetings of the Prime Minister with the banned organizations said it is commensurate with sabotaging the steps of President Musharraf and strengthening terrorists. He also condemned a private TV channel for not stopping musical and entertainment programmes till the Day of Ashoora.

He lauded the better arrangements made by the Islamabad and Rawalpindi Administration for Muharram. He said Azadari is not inheritance of any particular sect or group rather it is the joint inheritance of all schools of thought. That is why, he said, all Shia-Sunni brethren observe the remembrance of Shuhada-e-Karbala, organise Sabeels, and make arrangements for Nazar-o-Niaz. No hurdle in way of Azadari would be accepted.

On this occasion, thousands of Matamdaran reiterated their resolve to offer all types of sacrifice on the call of Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Hamid Moosavi for promotion of Wilayat-e-Ali (A.S.) and protection of Azadari. Ch. Mushtaq also addressed the gathering on this occasion.

Haider Abbas Bajwa, Central President of Mukhatar Students Organisation presented a resolution that was approved by the participants by raising vociferous slogans. The resolution made it clear that the exemplary martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his near and dear ones was for the protection of religion and Shariat and for the respect of mankind. The participants of the rally while presenting condolences in Bargah-e-Khatmi Martabat (SAW) reiterated their resolve that they will neither bargain nor allow anyone to bargain on highest goals and principles for the supremacy of which these precious sacrifices were offered.

The resolution said while mourning is at its peak throughout the world including Pakistan, meetings of the Prime Minister at this time with banned organisations and such organisations that have no standing is surprising and a matter of concern. The resolution called upon the President and the Prime Minister to take strict notice that why real powers are not given time for meeting by those who are in echelons of power. He said the real representatives of the nation should be found out and those elements should be identified who are creating differences between the government and the real representatives of the nation.

The resolution said that the Punjab Government makes tall claims that they have done this and that for the welfare of the people but they should tell what they have done so far to facilitate the Azadaran-e-Mazloom-e-Karbala? The resolution thanked the Islamabad and Rawalpindi Administration for fully cooperating during the Majalis and Matmi processions of Ashra-e-Muharram.

While lauding the setting up of Muharram Control Rooms by some provinces and by the Interior Ministry, the resolution expressed concern that neither the Punjab Government has formed these Cells nor they replied to any letters as they had been sent more than a hundred letters by the Central Muharram Committee Azadari Cell of Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya. How could the peace be restored when real representatives are not contacted? The resolution expressed surprise that Chief Minister Ch. Pervez Illahi says that he was born and brought up in Punjab then why he visited the neighbouring country and contacted their representatives but why he was ignoring the real powers and real representative organisations of the nation?

The resolution said that the Azadari of Imam Hussain (A.S.) would continue till 8th Rabiul Awwal, therefore, the Punjab Province should set up Muharram Control Rooms forthwith so as to facilitate the Azadaran-e-Imam Hussain. Other provinces should also set up Muharram Cells, it said.

The resolution said that Allah is the super most power and then Rasool-e-Khuda (SAW), Ahle Bait Atahaar (A.S.) and Sahaba Kubaar (R.A.) come on the basis of their Zuhd-o-Taqwa. The resolution demanded stoppage of musical and indecent programmes from all TV channels forthwith otherwise he said, Hussainiyyat would devour them and would take over the whole world.

The resolution made it clear that all Sunni and Shia and even non-Muslims consider Hussain ibne Ali (A.S.) as their leader and guide but the attitude of some TV channels is tragic. The resolution thanked the print media, particularly Dailies Jang, Nawa-i-Waqt, Dawn, The News, Ausaaf, Pakistan and some other papers who continued their cooperation during Ayyam-e-Aza and paid Ajr-e-Risalat by giving full coverage to Azadari programmes. However, he pointed some black sheep also who need to be identified and booked. The resolution said that newspapers publish special editions on Ashoora but it has been seen that the same old faces and same old write-ups are used despite the fact that along with Maktab-e-Tasayyo, there are many writers in Ahle Sunnat and Maktab-e-Deoband, therefore the newspapers should give attention on this aspect also.

The participants of the main Ashoora procession demanded from the government to root out terrorism from the country by ensuring effective implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act, and take immediate notice of the activities of the banned groups active with new names.

Matamdaran-e-Hussain reiterated their resolve to observe all Azadari programmes till 8th Rabiul Awwal marking conclusion of Ayyam-e-Aza like they have observed Ashra-e-Muharram by following the Code of Azadari announced by Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Hamid Moosavi and they would thwart every conspiracy and mischief of the enemy through their mutual brotherhood and understanding.

The participants reiterated their resolve to present any sacrifice on the call of Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Moosavi for his mission of ‘Wila’ and ‘Aza’. The resolution while expressing complete solidarity with the oppressed the world over including Karbala-e-Kashmir, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan strongly condemned the brutalities against them.

Later, historic Zanjeer-Zani was performed by participants of the main Ashoora procession. 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 Ashoora procession terminated at Imambargah Qadeem after passing through Jamia Masjid Road and Pull Shah Nazar. 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. A heavy contingent of police along with district administration officials remained with the procession throughout.

In Peshawar, the main procession to mark Ashoora Day was taken out from Imambargah Rezi Shah Kocha Jan attended by thousands of Azadaran and Matamdaran.

In Quetta, main Ashoora Day procession was brought out from Punjabi Imambargah Alamdar Road. The Azadaran were reciting nohas.

In Lahore, the main procession that was taken out from Nisar Haweli on Ashoora Night ended at Karbala Gamay Shah on Ashoora Day after touching through its designated routes. After Fajr Azan, Zanjeer Zani was performed at Mochi Gate. Tens of thousands of Matamdaran-e-Hussain attended.

In Karachi, main Ashoora procession was taken out from Khurasan Imambargah Nishtar Park, and culminated at Imambargah Hussainia Irania Kharadar after passing through its designated routes. Tens of thousands of Matamdaran participated in the procession. Zanjeer Zani was also performed to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his 72 sincere companions. Special medical camps and sabeels of drinks were set up by TNFJ Karachi and Mukhtar Students Organization Karachi throughout the route. Local groups had also set up sabeels.

Special security arrangements were made. Heavy contingents of police along with administration officials remained with the processions throughout.