RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chehlum of Nawasa-e-Rasool Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his 72 companions was observed with religious and national spirit, devotion and respect throughout the country Thursday who sacrificed 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 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. A large number of mourners engaged themselves in heavy Zanjeer-Zani and Matam-e-Qamah 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 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 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 Shahadat.

A resolution presented by the Secretary of District Muharram Committee Azadari Cell, Ghulam Ali said that Nawasa-e-Rasool Syed-us-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.

The resolution said that Hazrat Zainab Binte Ali Ibne Abi Talib (S.A.) and Ali Ibne Hussain Syed-us-Sajideen Hazrat Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S.) highlighted the objective of Karbala in their heart-rending Khutbat in the streets of Kufa and Shaam and in the courts of Yazid and Ibne Ziad in a manner that the whole universe is enlightened on this issue today. The resolution made it clear that the sacrifice of Hussain (A.S.) was not for any particular Maslak, country, group or a tribe but for the development and supremacy of the whole humanity. That is why Hussain (A.S.) is not only Shaheed-e-Islam but Shaheed-e-Insaniyyat also.

The resolution said that Pakistan is the citadel of Islam, therefore, it is obligatory for all Masalik and countries of the whole Muslim Ummah to defend it because harm caused to this citadel is tantamount to causing harm to the Islamic World. The resolution said that it is also obligatory for us all to keep in mind that the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah laid the foundation of a separate State for Muslims on a clear-cut ideology and he desired to turn this new State into a laboratory of Islam and hub of democracy where every citizen should be given a chance to spend his life according to his ideology of life and lead a respectable life. We should ponder why this dream of the Quaid-i-Azam was not turned into reality?

The resolution said that according to Article 2 of the Constitution, Islam is the official religion of Pakistan, Islam is commensurate with the recognised schools of Sunni and Shia thoughts and the rulers are under the obligation to give their rights on the basis of equality. It is necessary to overcome the menace of terrorism, the resolution said adding that the credit for effective steps to check terrorism goes to President Musharraf. Now the new government would have to resolve problems confronted by the nation. The resolution expressed solidarity with the oppressed people of Afghanistan, Iraq, Kashmir and Palestine and strongly condemned the recent incidents of terrorism in the country in which Army Surgeon General was martyred in Rawalpindi and Haji Gulab Hussain in Peshawar. The resolution welcomed the setting aside of restriction on Hejab by the Turk government and the Parliament.

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 greater 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 said that the Sindh and Balochistan governments had announced to observe holiday on the occasion of Chehlum last year, this holiday should also be announced on Federal level. The resolution strongly condemned the attacks on caravans of Zaireen in Iraq. The mourners resolved that they are ready to follow every command of the Quaid-i-Millat Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah 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 and Mukhtar Generation installed Markazi Azadari Camp at Fawwara Chowk while Ibrahim Scouts had set up their medical camp at Habib Bank Chowk. Volunteers of MFP and office-bearers of TNFJ District Muharram Committee Azadari Cell led by Convener Alhaj Ghulam Murtaza Chauhan remained with the procession throughout.

Langar and Sabeel arrangements were made en route the procession. 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.