RAWALPINDI, March 1: Yaum-i-Ashura will be observed with reverence here on Tuesday to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and his companions in the war of Karbala in 61st Hijri.

The main Zuljinah, Alam and Tazia processions will be brought out from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain, College Road and Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah, Bohar Bazaar. Zuljinah processions taken out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohallah, Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh, and Imambargah Kashmirian Tyre Bazaar will join the main procession.

All these processions will combine at Fawara Chowk where Zohr prayers will be offered and mourners addressed by religious scholars. The main procession will then culminate at Qadeemi Imambargah with Majlis-i-Sham-i-Ghariban.

The district administration has made elaborate security arrangements for the occasion. Troops will patrol various places in the city to avert any untoward incident. Civil defence, bomb disposal squad, fire brigade and ambulances will remain with the procession.

The administration has banned the public from witnessing the processions from rooftops. However, the security personnel would be deployed on the rooftops of various buildings for security reasons. Hospitals of the city have been put on alert.

Medical camps will be set up by various voluntary organization including Edhi, Pak Hyderi Scouts, Imamia Organization and Mukhtar Students Organization. Sabeels will also be set up by various religious and philanthropist organizations that would provide water to mourners.

On Monday a mourning procession was taken out from Fatimia Imambargah Saddar, which was attended by a large number of people from both Shia and Sunni sects.

The mourners were beating their chests and flagellating themselves in remembrance of the sufferings of the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Later, the procession after passing through its traditional route culminated at Fatimia Imambargah where Majlis-i-Shab-i- Ashur was delivered.

PPI ADDS: Jhelum district administration has finalized its security arrangements for Ashura. A meeting was held here on Monday which was presided over by Punjab Minister for Transport Rana Shamshad Ahmed. DCO Jhelum Dr Zafar Nasrullah, DPO Mohammad Anwar and other high officials of the administration were present on this occasion.

Rana Shamshad Ahmed called for harmony and cooperation among different sects and asked the administration to keep a vigilant eye on suspected elements. He urged religious scholars to help the government in maintaining a peaceful atmosphere and avoid making remarks against other sects.

DCO Jhelum Dr Zafar Nasrullah said the district administration had made foolproof arrangements to avoid any untoward incident. Meanwhile, the main procession of Yaum-i-Ashura will be brought out from Darbar Sekhi Shah Bahhor and would end at Bhatikah Sheikh Marrad Buskh in Jhelum district.