In Lahore, the traditional Tazia Alam procession was held from Mubarak Haveli inside Mochi Gate early in the morning and it culminated at Karbala Gamay Shah in the evening after passing through its traditional route. The route of the procession included Imambargah Ghulam Ali Shah, Chowk Nawab Sahab, Mochi Gate, Lal Khoo, Fazal Haveli, Takia Nathay Shah, Koocha Shian, Chuhatta Mufti Baqar, Old Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazaar, Dabbi Bazaar, Sunehri Masjid, Paniwala Talab, Chowk Nogaza, Chowk Tarannum Cinema, Chowk Tibbi, Bazaar Hakeeman, Chowk Novelty, Mohalla Jogian, Oonchi Masjid and Bhaati Gate.
Proceedings began with the recitation of Quran followed by a description of invaluable services rendered by Hazrat Ali (RA) for the cause of Islam, and an account of the events which lead to his martyrdom. The sermon stressed identifying the same set of elements working in the current society as they were back in those days and how every Muslim should play their role in countering such evils by following the conduct of Hazrat Ali (SA).
The district government had taken strict security measures for the procession as large number of police and reserved police personnel were deployed on the route and other sensitive places.
Besides, policemen had taken positions on rooftops of buildings along the route and nobody was allowed to stand and watch from the roof tops and balconies. Special control rooms were established at different points to monitor the situation both manually and through close circuit cameras. Scanners were erected at the entrance points of the procession route while participants were subjected to scanning by metal detectors before they were allowed to join the procession.
The procession was led by leading Zakerin while different groups of Matam observers and Noha Khwans paid tributes to the Imam Ali (SA) during the procession by conducting matam and reciting Nohas. A number of mourners flagellated themselves along the route of the procession.
Participants had Iftar at Karbala Gamay Shah after culmination of the procession. Meanwhile, speakers of different seminars and conferences paid tributes to the qualities and achievements of Hazrat Ali (RA). Various organizations held meetings to commemorate the personality and achievements of the Imam Ali (SA) and urged Muslims to follow his footsteps to regain the lost grandeur of the Ummah.
End item/109
