Thousands of devotees on Monday thronged MA Jinnah Road to commemorate the Chehlum anniversary of martyrdoms of Imam Hussain (RA) and his loyal companions. As many as 100 small, medium and large size Alam processions were brought out from Nishtar Park and Mehfil-e-Shah-e-Khorasan after renowned Shia scholar Allama Talib Johari's chehlum address came to an end at noon.
Mourners began marching from Numaish Chowrangi near mausoleum of founder of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah and passed through Saddar, Preedi Street, Tibet Centre, Jamia Cloth Market, Bolton Market, Bombay Bazar Kharadar, and Nawab Khanji Road to reach the culminating point Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.
The participants of the chehlum offered Zohr and Asr prayers collectively under the Imamat of Maulana Naseem Abbas Zaidi in front of Ali Raza Imambarghah on main M.A Jinnah Road. Amid the slogans of Labbaik Ya Hussain, the devotees including women and children clad in black suits performed the Chehlum rituals. They were beating their chests as the noha khwans recited nohas and marsias.
Chehlum was observed in a peaceful environment due to highly alerted security as 5,700 police personnel alongside heavy contingents of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) were deployed at the main procession's route and roof-tops of the high-rise buildings to avoid any untoward incident.
Helicopters were also seen flying over the procession route to conduct aerial surveillance during the day to aid the security personnel on ground in keeping vigilant eye to avert any terror attack. To commemorate the chehlum anniversary, 450 mourning congregations (majalis) were also held in numerous parts of the city including Soldier Bazaar, Incholi, Jafar-e-Tayyar Malir, Korangi, Shah Faisal Colony, Kharadar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Scholars highlighted Imam Hussain and his loyal companions' sacrifices in Karbala and their contribution to Islam.
According to police, as many as 18,000 security personnel were deployed to guard the entire city during the mega religious event. The police blocked roads leading to the procession route from Guru Mandir (Roundabout). However, alternate arrangements were made for the convenience of traffic approaching the route of procession.
Entry of vehicles and pedestrians to all roads and lanes connecting the route of the procession were completely sealed by placing containers. Earlier, the Bomb Disposal Squad also checked the route of main procession and gave clearance. All encroachments removed from entire route and all shops and markets were sealed.