Youm-e-Ali: Security stepped up in major cities

LAHORE: Muslims around the world will mark Youm‐e Ali, which commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib - first Imam in Shia theology and fourth Rashidun Caliph in Sunni tradition.

The cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Ali is recognized among the most important spiritual and intellectual authorities in Islam after the Holy Prophet.

He is equally revered by all the sects of Muslims in Pakistan and other Islamic countries.

Youm‐e Ali - literally the “Day of Ali” - commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali who was attacked and assassinated while praying in the Great Mosque of Kufa, dying two days later on 21^st Ramazan in the year 40 AH.

As caliph and as Imam, Hazrat Ali established a remarkable model of Muslim leadership centered on the ethics of Islam.

On the occasion, Muslims renew their commitment to the principles that Hazrat Ali exemplified, particularly the ethics of care, compassion, generosity, integrity, tolerance, forgiveness, brotherhood, and service to others.

Shias in Pakistan and Iran also take out mourning processions in the streets to mark the sad day.

This year, keeping the situation of law and order in focus, Pakistani security agencies have finalized security plans for Majalis and processions in connection with three-day mourning from June 25 to 27.

Police and law enforcement agencies have intensified security in Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad, Islamabad and Rawalpindi for Youm-e-Ali.

Sindh Police have made strict security arrangements for processions which will be taken out from Nishter Park to Hussainian Iranian Imam Bargah Kharadar. The police said it will be mandatory for participants to obtain windscreen stickers to enter the processions. However the vehicles of scouts, welfare organizations, sabils, Nazar & Niaz distributing persons shall submit their application form along with below mentioned documents / articles at SRC Scouts Rabta Council Office (Karachi Open District) located at Numaish from 22 to 25 June -2016, and get the receipt.

Pillion riding has also been banned in the port city for three days.

In Hyderabad, police have been put on high alert while foolproof security arrangements have been finalized to avert any untoward incident.

All DSPs and SHOs will remain present in their respective jurisdictions from today onward and carry out snap checking and patrolling in their areas.

Besides, additional police forces have been deployed at all external and internal routes to search and continuous patrol the highways.

Policemen along with plain clothes personnel have also been deployed at Railway stations as well as buses and coach terminals of the district. They will also search local hotels and guest houses.

In Rawalpindi, 4000 police personnel including Elite police, ladies police, special branch personnel and volunteers will be deployed to guard 98 majalis and 23 processions to be taken out from New Town, Waris Khan, City, Civil Lines circles, Cantonment, Saddar, Kahuta, Gujar Khan, Murree and Taxila circles.

The main procession of the city will be taken out taken out from Mohanpura at 9 pm on June 26 and after passing through Kashmiri Bazaar, Fawara Chowk, Iqbal Road, Nia Mohalla and other roads will culminate at the Col Maqbool Imambargah at Fajr.

Other big processions will be taken out from Darbar Sakhi Shah, Imambargah Fatmia, Markazi Imambargah Kosar-e-Zainab and Shah Chan Chiragh Dhoke Rata on June 26 and 27.

The district administration will establish a control room in order to closely monitor the movement of the processions to avoid any untoward incident.

Lahore Police will follow the security SOPs of Muharram for the central procession of Youm-e-Ali. Foolproof security would also be ensured on the eve of Youm-ul-Quds and Juma-tul-Widaa, DIG Haider Ashraf told the media on Saturday.