Main Zuljinah procession today

LAHORE: The main Zuljinah procession commemorating the martyrdom of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) grandson Imam Hussain (RA), his family members and companions in the battle of Karbala will be taken out today (Friday) from the Nisar Haveli amid tight security. On Thursday, hundreds of majalis were organised and small zuljinah processions were taken out to commemorate Ashura.
Strict security arrangements were made in this regard and no untoward incident was reported during the whole day. But the Nisar Haveli main procession had its own importance and attracted thousands of mourners from across the city.
Policemen were directed to provide foolproof security to the procession and ensure completion of its journey peacefully. Threat of terrorist attacks and the recent bomb blast in Peshawar had forced security agencies to make arrangements for protecting the lives and property of citizens along with mourners participating in the main Zuljinah procession. Rangers conducted a flag march and continued patrolling various parts of the city to ensure law and order and monitored security arrangements put in place for the main zuljinah procession.
According to sources, more than 400 majalis were held at various imambargahs in the city to commemorate ninth Muharram when Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions were facing the brutalities of Yazid’s army. Dozens of zuljinah processions were also taken out in this regard. As soon as the main zuljinah procession would start its journey from the Nisar Haveli, the real test of security agencies would start and they would try their best for providing foolproof security to mourners.
The main zuljinah procession remained the main activity for Shias during the Youm-e-Ashur. Shias organising events to commemorate Imam Hussain’s (RA) martyrdom tried their level best to join the main procession to pay their tribute to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) grandson and his companions. Activities of some anti-state elements have raised eyebrows and people were concerned about the security arrangements being made to protect the main zuljinah procession.
Security officials have been warned that no negligence would be tolerated in this regard. This year, parking of vehicles, including cars has been banned near the main procession route and bomb disposal squads and ambulances for providing medical facilities to mourners would move along with the main zuljinah procession. People residing in houses along the main procession route have been asked to remain close to their house doors and windows.
The City District Government Lahore (CDGL) has empowered security personnel to take action against all those people who violate the security arrangements put in place for the main procession. Policemen would be deployed on top of buildings to provide security to the main procession while rosewater would be sprayed on routes of the main procession for environmental and hygiene purposes.
Thousands of sabeels would also be established along the procession’s way so that mourners could drink free milk. The main zuljinah procession would be begin from the Nisar Haveli inside the Mochi Gate and conclude at the Karbala Gamay Shah at the Lower Mall.
The procession would pass through the following areas including Mohalla Chehl Bibian Imambargah Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Mubarak Haveli, Chowk Nawab Sahib, Koocha Qazi Khana, Imambargah Maulvi Feroze Ali, Koocha Miskeenan, Mohalla Pir Gillanian, Imambargah Syed Rajjab Ali Shah, Chau Hatta Mufti Baqir, Chowk Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazaar, Sonehri Mosque, Dabbi Bazaar, Gumti Bazaar, Said Mittha Bazaar, Tehsil Bazaar, Bazaar Hakimaan, Ucchi Mosque, Bhatti Chowk and Karbala Gamey Shah.
Local residents have been advised not to come out of their houses unless they are Shias and should keep their computerised national identity cards (CNIC) with themselves for identification. The Walled City would be sealed today (Friday) after sunset and no one would be allowed to roam around without proper identification documents. Close circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be used to monitor the security arrangements and jammers would be installed to restrict cellular phone services on the main zuljinah procession’s main route.
Private security guards have also been hired by Shias to provide security to the main zuljinah procession along with 20,000 security personnel.