ately, Ali Jafri has been swamped in work. A data consultant by profession, he was left with no time to attend majlis during the first ashura of Muharram. So, he made it a point to watch the live streaming of a majlis, on his tablet. “This way I didn’t miss anything,” he says.

Syed Faizan Abbas Naqvi, a young historian and storyteller, popularly known as Lahore ka Khoji, seconds Ali: “Today, the majaalis (congregations) are routinely streamed live on different YouTube channels.” However, he is quick to add that this hasn’t affected the footfalls at the majlis venues.

It is also learnt that many zaakirs (speakers) have dedicated pages on social media. Some of these are run by their followers. The idea is to enhance their outreach.

When Jafri is away, his wife and daughters are also able to join the majlis, albeit virtually. But this is more of a ‘make-do’ arrangement. Jafri insists that technology can’t recreate the impact of attending a majlis in person.

Next, he highlights the role of women which “isn’t restricted to their attendance at the congregations.”

Farhat Abbas Shah, a poet and man of letters, adds to it, saying that women have an active role in azadari; they not only take care of niyaz (charity food) preparations, but also contribute to other arrangements. For instance, when shabeehat (replicas and processional items) are being readied, women handle all the sewing. They are involved in stitching and embellishing the fabrics.

In recent years, women-only majaalis, which are attended and addressed by women, have grown in numbers across the city. According to Rizwan Haider, a resident of Gulberg, N Block, these congregations are arranged at private houses during the first 10 days of Muharram. “They commence at around 11 in the morning and continue till 7 in the evening,” he says.

Muharram is no less special for children. They “like being part of azadari, attending majaalis, doing ziyarat (visits to shrines). It’s a unique spiritual experience for them,” says Naqvi.

Although majaalis continue for about two and a half months, the first 10 days of Muharram are the most intense, he adds.

No majlis is complete without a langar or niyaz. At the end of every majlis, niyaz is offered to the participants. Often, riders are hired to deliver niyaz from one place to another. This is becoming quite a trend now.

Naqvi says that every year on the second day of Muharram, they follow a ritual at home. It involves preparing niyaz, chiefly halwa, for the occasion. For large-scale congregations, food is sometimes arranged from outside.

This year, the Punjab government introduced certain regulations for sabeels (refreshment stalls). This elicited a strong reaction from some people in the community as the district administration was accused of taking arbitrary action against those offering drinks.

According to Tauseef Sabeeh, the spokesperson for Home Department, the guidelines for setting up and operating sabeels during Muharram are in the best interest of the public. The district administration also set up sabeels, especially on Muharram 9 and 10, he said.

As per the directives, drinks and refreshments offered at sabeels must be checked and approved for public consumption by registered medical practitioners and food safety officers. Items deemed unfit for health or unverified food and beverages are not to be permitted.

The circular mandates that sabeels must be of a standard size, preferably 10x8 feet, and set up without blocking the footpaths. Proper shade should be provided for the public and volunteers to protect them from the sun. All containers for water, milk and sherbet must have clear labels; and they should be offered in disposable cups.

Furthermore, sabeels must be located along the major procession routes, without obstructing the public movement or security arrangements. Volunteers at sabeels must be cleared by the Special Branch and sensitive locations must be pre-swept by the bomb disposal squad. The volunteers must carry the identity cards issued by the administration at all times.

CCTV coverage is a must for sabeels located at spots declared ‘sensitive’ by the administration. Volunteers must maintain orderly queues and prevent crowding around the stalls. Unauthorised pushcarts and all types of vehicles must be kept away. All volunteers must wear gloves and facemasks. All stalls must have covered dustbins.

Dr Hassan Shehzad, a mass communication specialist, says that instead of introducing regulations the government should try to raise public awareness on eco-friendly congregations. He talks of “three key things our city managers must ensure: clean water distribution, pollution-free environment and walk-friendly roads.”

This Muharram saw intense police scrutiny. Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi says a round-the-clock cyber-patrolling cell identified and took action against those involved in inciting sectarianism on social media. Several accounts engaged in such activities were blocked. Several arrests were made ahead of the Ashura.

Dr Qazi also says that 37,087 majaalis and 9,825 processions were monitored across Punjab. All majlis venues were geo-tagged on maps and high-resolution cameras provided real-time surveillance to the control room. The movement of 1,421 speakers and orators was restricted due to security reasons; 809 people were issued gag orders.

Agha Zaheer Karbalai, a representative of a majalis organisation, says that there was a feeling that the police were working against the community. “For example, no new majlis venue was allowed to set up. This is denying the right to religious freedom,” he added.

The Home Department spokesperson said that action was only taken following public complaints. “Where there was no objection [to a new majlis], no action was taken.”

Ahsan Raza is the editor of Minute Mirror. He can be reached at ahsanbudh@hotmail.com