Hazrat Ali’s martyrdom day today

LAHORE
The martyrdom anniversary of fourth Khalifah Hazrat Ali (RA) will be observed on Thursday (today) with traditional religious solemnity and spirit amidst tight security, including the possibility of suspending mobile phone service. The faithful will hold majalis, conferences and take out Tazia processions in various cities to highlight his personality and achievements.
The traditional Tazia Alam procession will be taken out from Mubarak Haveli inside Mochi Gate early Thursday morning and 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. The proceedings will begin with the recitation of Holy Quran followed by Nohas and the description of the invaluable services rendered by Hazrat Ali (RA) for the cause of Islam, and an account of the events which lead to his martyrdom.
Volunteers and doctors with ambulances will be accompanying the procession to provide first aid to the mourners at the spot and also shift the injured to hospitals. The participants will have Iftar at Karbala Gamay Shah after the culmination of the procession. The district government has taken strict security measures for the procession as large number of police and reserved police personnel have been deployed on the route and other sensitive places. Besides, the policemen have taken positions at the rooftops of the buildings along the route and nobody will be allowed to stand and watch from the rooftops and balconies. Special control rooms have been established at different points to monitor the situation, both manually and through close circuit cameras installed at sensitive points for the purpose. Scanners have been erected at the entry points of the procession route while participants will be subjected to scanning by metal detectors before they are allowed to join the procession.
As special security measures this year, the district administration has deputed a second layer of security along the outskirts of the walled city comprising of police mobile squad which will keep the activity on all the main roads.