PESHAWAR: The main procession of ninth Muharram appearing from Hussainia Hall at Saddar culminated peacefully at the same Imambargah here on Thursday. However, the security measures adopted in the city and cantonment areas coupled with suspension of cellular phone services caused immense problems for the citizens.

In the afternoon, several processions appeared from different worship places in the city which led to closure of all the main arteries, including GT Road, Khyber Road, Sher Shah Suri Road and Saddar Road, while the bazaars and shopping malls remained closed since morning.

For the first time cell phones remained blocked for the entire day despite the fact that unprecedented security measures were adopted where personnel of various law-enforcement agencies remained alert to avert any untoward incident.

Movement of people remained restricted even in the residential localities where use of motorcycles was banned. Residents complained that they were not allowed even to drive their bikes to home.

“Our mobile phones also remained blocked and we could not call the relevant officials of police,” a media person Shakeel Ahmed told this correspondent. He said that people accompanied by their children were also not allowed to cross the checkpoints towards their homes and they had to take a long detour to reach their destinations.

The procession (ninth of Muharram) appearing from Hussainia Hall passed through traditional routes and ended at the same venue. The participants offered Zuhr prayers at Fawara Chowk.

On this occasion, known scholar Allama Mushtaq Hussain and Imamia Students Organisation, Peshawar division, general secretary Tauheed Ali threw light on the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions.

The speakers said that Muharramul Haram taught us the lesson of tolerance, bravery and raising voice for the right and against the wrong. They said that the enemies of Islam were active against Muslims and the killing of innocent people in different countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Barma and Palestine was example of the atrocities of present day tyrants.

They condemned Israel and United States and described them as the biggest enemies of Muslims across the world. They asked the government to sever ties with the US and ensure protection to the people.

In the evening several Zuljinnah processions appeared from different Imambargahs in Peshawar city.

CM’S MESSAGE: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has said that the Karbala tragedy envisaged a great lesson for the humanity, especially for Muslims, to observe tolerance and preach unity.

He said that Karbala was in fact a war between the right and wrong wherein the supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) for the right cause and glory of Islam would be remembered for good.

In his message on Ashura day, the chief minister said that the Karbala incident taught us to demonstrate the spirit of love with humanity, support the right and reject the wrong. “Following these principles could not only keep us united and revive the glory of Muslims, but could also lay solid foundation for durable peace in Pakistan and the world at large,” he said.

The chief minister appealed to the nation to follow in the footprints of Imam Hussain (RA) and observe the Ashura day in a manner to unite the Muslim Ummah. He said that the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Imam Hussain (RA) guided us to forging unity for success and prosperity of the entire mankind.

He said that it was need of the hour for Muslims to maintain mutual harmony and fraternity. He urged people, especially ulema, to cooperate with the government for maintenance of peace.