RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chehlum of Nawasa-e-Rasool Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his 72 faithful companions who sacrificed in the desert of Karbala for survival of religion and Shariat and to give eternal lease of life to high values of humanity was observed with religious and national spirit, devotion and respect throughout the country Saturday.

Majalis-e-Arbaeen-e-Hussaini were held and Zuljinah, Alam and Tazia processions were taken out in all big and 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-i-Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi participated in the procession, offered Ziarat of the taburrakaat and performed Matamdari. He also offered Dua at the Sabeel-e-Hussaini Camp organized by Mukhtar Generation. 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, 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 courts through their visionary and heart-rending 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 Yazid making it clear on the whole world that Hussain (A.S.) came to the plain of Karbala for survival of Deen-e-Muhammadi and to save the dignity of pious human relations from Yazidi hands, they unveiled his black deeds and made the flag of Islam flutter high for ever by sacrificing their blood. He then presented the Masaib of caravan of Aseeran-e-Karbala on their way back to Madinah. Ch. Mushtaq Hussain addressed the gathering on the topic of philosophy of martyrdom.

A resolution presented by the Additional Secretary of Central Muharram Committee (Azadari Cell) Bu Ali Mahdi said that Nawasa-e-Rasool Syed-ush-Shuhada Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) by giving sacrifice along with his companion, near and dear ones provided protection to religion and Shariat and highlighted the dignity of humanity.

It said that Universal Chehlum is being observed to pay homage to the invaluable sacrifices of these personalities of Islam. The importance of this day is like Youm-e-Ashoor. The Chehlum of Karbala’s martyrs is being observed in the circumstances this year when the whole humanity, particularly the followers of Islam are the target of heinous conspiracy of New World Order; first Afghanistan and Iraq were rooted out, then Lebanon was shattered while Kashmir and Palestine issues were lying unresolved for the last six decades.

Now a brother Islamic country i.e. Islamic Republic of Iran is being threatened and all energies are being utilized to create differences and misunderstanding amongst oppressed nations, Muslim States and Masalik so that they could not become helpful to one another. The purpose of this conspiracy is not winning the war rather the biggest objective is to destabilize Masalik and countries by creating differences and causing harm to the strong foundations of religions and Shariat. The biggest tactic is to term the oppressed nations and the Islamic World terrorists.

Struggling for the independence and freedom and realization of rights and presenting sacrifice is basic right of everyone that is recognized not only by Islam rather by all religions, therefore in this situation, the United Nations, ICC, OIC and other international organizations are under the obligation to condemn this heinous conspiracy while the Muslim Ummah and the oppressed nations should give importance to their mutual unity and understanding.

The resolution further said that Kashmir and Palestine are alone at present the benefit of which is being reaped by the Satanic forces as only one or two countries could not face the combined enemy alone. The resolution said that as the atheist forces are united, therefore the Islamic World and oppressed nations would have to adopt strongest policies by becoming united to stop this aggression because aggression is actually terrorism and biggest oppression and brutality that had been condemned by us in the past and we would continue doing so in future also.

Another resolution expressing concern over the Zionist conspiracy of excavation around Masjid-e-Aqsa demanded from the OIC to adopt a combined and strong strategy against the desecration of Qibla-e-Awwal, get the dome of Al-Askariyain shrines of Imam Ali Naqi (A.S.) and Imam Hassan Askari (A.S.) rebuilt immediately, and play its role in getting the dignity of Jannatul Baqee and Jannatul Muallah restored.

The resolution made it clear that if the United Nations desires to prove that it is working for the whole humanity then it would get the long-standing issues of Kashmir and Palestine resolved in the light of her Resolutions keeping to the desire of the respective people so as to restore durable peace in the Middle East and the South Asia. The resolution demanded immediate pullout of allied forces from Afghanistan and Iraq and deploying the United Nations Peace Keeping Force there.

Another resolution adopted by the participants of the Chehlum procession praised the Anti-Terrorism Act introduced by the President General Pervez Musharraf but demanded action against black sheep that were sabotaging the same and encouraging the banned groups because dozens of incidents have been taken place since inception of Muharram including the one in Dera Ismail Khan in which the TNFJ Sarhad Province Nazim-ul-Ummor was martyred. The resolution stressing the need of high level probe into all incidents of terrorism at high level demanded immediate action against the culprits. The resolution said that in line with the saying of Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Agha Hamid Moosavi, the TNFJ is still stick to its point of view that a terrorist keeps no religion or a country, he is only a terrorist and should be seen and tackled in the same context. The resolution made it clear that murder of any Pakistani is the murder of Pakistan and is tantamount to enmity with the religion and the motherland; therefore, those who cause harm to the country have no right to live in Pakistan.

The resolution called upon the government to adopt a policy of mutual understanding viz. religious and political parties. It lamented that our politicians and rulers participate even in the programmes organised by the minorities but they do not bother to participate in the procession of Mohsin-e-Islam Imam Hussain’s (A.S.) Shahadat and Chehlum procession despite the fact that Hussain (A.S.) is loved by all and everyone know that the path of Hussainiyyat is the path of survival and guarantees success.

The resolution lamented that sports and games are given free hand in the programmes on the electronic media but the Chehlum of the Imam Aali Muqaam is ignored at every level despite the fact that its importance is equal to the day of Ashoor. Therefore, the resolution demanded a public holiday on 20th Safar-ul-Muzaffar on the Chehlum of Syed-ush-Shuhada.

Terming the APC summoned by the Muslim League (N), as unrepresentative in character, the resolution representative gathering or conference could be the one in which all religious and political parties are invited.

The resolution thanked the Federal, Provincial and Azad Kashmir governments for setting up Azadari Control Rooms and issuing notifications in this regard on the desire of Tehreek Nafaz Fiqh-e-Jafariya. It however expressed shock and concern over the Sindh government’s attitude for not issuing such notification despite repeated reminders. The Sindh government comprising Muslim League (Q) and MQM should have taken notice of this situation as Hussain (A.S.) belongs to all.

The resolution made it clear that Azadari Imam Mazloom (A.S.) is dear to us over all other things and Gham-e-Hussain is also great than any other grief while Azadari programmes continue till 8th Rabiul Awwal. Therefore, it said, the Federal and Provincial governments should keep the Azadari Control Rooms intact till the conclusion of Ayyam-e-Aza while people should themselves remain alert and play the role of advanced force for every pious deed.

The resolution thanked the government, the administration, all religious and political parties, and the media for their full cooperation during the Muharram and Chehlum programmes and reiterated the resolve that because Pakistan was created by us all jointly therefore we all would turn Pakistan into “Amnistaan” by becoming one and pious and take it to the all possible heights by thwarting every conspiracy and mischief of enemies of Islam and Pakistan. The resolution said that anyone who creates differences amongst us has nothing to do with Islam, he is only a terrorist. The resolution made it clear that the followers of Nawasa-e-Rasool Imam Hussain (A.S.) are the biggest oppressed while Karabala is the source of guidance for all movements of independence all over the world. We support all the oppressed and express hatred against every oppressor.

The resolution reiterated that keeping to the announcement of Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Agha Moosavi, our mourning will continue till the Shahadat of Hazrat Imam Hassan Askari (A.S.) i.e. 8th Rabiul Awwal and our universal peaceful protest in shape of Azadari would continue till the Zahoor of Imam Mahdi (A.S.). The mourners resolved that they are ready to follow every command of the Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Hamid Moosavi for his mission of ‘Wila’ and ‘Aza’ and would not hesitate in offering any sacrifice whenever so desired by him.

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, Mukhtar generation, Civil Defence, office-bearers of District Azadari Committee of the TNFJ, officials of the District Administration and a heavy contingent of police remained with the procession throughout. Bawa Syed Riaz Hussain Shah, Sajjada Nashin of Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh led the collective ‘Dua’ and read out Ziarat at the conclusion of the main Chehlum procession.