President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani have called for end to trivial differences and unity in their messages on the occasion of ‘Yaum-e-Ashur’ or 10th of Muharram to be observed in the country on Tuesday. “We have to forget our trivial differences and adopt the teachings of Islam and promote peace, security and brotherhood,” President Zardari said in his message “Today, the way to pay tribute to Imam Hussain (AS), the leader of martyrs is to follow his values wholeheartedly and seek forgiveness for sins so that internal problems can be solved successfully,” he said. He said today “it is 10th of Muharram 1433 and Youm-e-Ashur and the month of Muharram is a revered and venerated month which according to Holy Quran carries special sacredness”. “Even before the advent of Islam, this month was seen with reverence and then Islam elevated its respect and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his associates observed fast, he said adding, “For us, this day also holds importance as the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) along with his 72 companions embraced martyrdom in Karbala.” He said the event of Karbala is very significant which affected every aspect of human life, unveiled aspects of superior character, provided standards to judge a person and increased knowledge. The president said Youm-e-Ashur gave a lesson of sacrifice and piety for achieving higher objectives. Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) decided to live life as a lasting symbol of truthfulness to make realise the followers of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that they should have the basic values of good character including tolerance, endurance, sacrifice, equality, justice and fairness. The president urged the countrymen to follow in the footsteps of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and adopt his values to eradicate all kinds of ignorance from the country.
Fight: In his message, Prime Minister Gilani said his government would “continue to fight against terrorism and extremism until these forces are completely routed”. “We are fully determined and on this day of Ashura, we reiterate our pledge that we would further strengthen unity, political and social harmony, mutual tolerance, and brotherhood in our ranks,” he said. The prime minister said, “Come and let us vow that we would follow the principles espoused by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) for security of our motherland and glory of Islam and would not hesitate to offer any sacrifice for the sake of Islamic principles.” Gilani said, “We can become an ideal society if we adopt the principles of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in our individual and collective lives,” adding that Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) sacrificed his life for his cherished principles. Gilani said, “Today is the day of Ashura. This day has a special significance in Islamic history. This is the day when Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) grandson, took on the forces of falsehood for the glory of Islam. “On this very day, the battle was fought between the forces of truth and falsehood, which would continue to impart Muslims a lesson of sustained struggle against oppression and tyranny till the Day of Judgment,” he said adding in fact, this battle for truth is not only a beacon for the Muslims but also for the entire mankind.
