Daily Times

LAHORE: More than 500 big and small mourning processions were taken out across the city in connection with Muharram 9, on Saturday.

The main procession of Muharram 9 was taken out from Khaima-i-Sadaat (Pando Street, Islampura) that culminated at the same place after passing through its traditional route.

Another big mourning procession was taken out from Imambargah Qasr-e-Batool, Shadman.

Thousands of mourners participated in the processions.

A number of majalis and other small processions were also held in different parts of the city where religious scholars and clerics shed light on the great sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions, who refused to bow before evil forces and saved the dignity of Islam.

Loads of citizens also visited the graves of their loved ones to offer feteha.

Stalls of refreshment drinks (Sabeel) were also set up on the routes of different processions.

The Punjab Food Authority had also directed catering companies and organisers of processions to ensure distribution of safe and quality food to mourners. The authority had warned catering companies of severe consequence if substandard food severed during Muharram.

Meanwhile, Lahore Deputy Commission Sumair Ahmed Syed said that the district administration was in touch with departments concerned and licence holders of processions to facilitate mourners.

“We have completed all arrangements and removed encroachment from the routes of processions.” He said that a control room had been established at Nadir Hall to monitor arrangements.

Separately, a spokesman for the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) said that the LWMC had completed all arrangements to keep the city clean on Ashura.

Published in Daily Times, October 1^st 2017.