LAHORE - Youm-i-Ashur, marking the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his 72 companions besides his family members at Karbala in 61 Hijra year at the hands of barbaric forces of Yazid, the self-styled head of Muslims Ummah, will be observed today (Thursday). The day will be observed with extreme religious devotion. The Imam laid down his life to uphold the norms of justice, truth, piety and righteousness instead of surrendering to the forces of oppression. His supreme sacrifices are remembered since then in the entire Muslim world with gloom. Majalis-e-Aza, nohas narrating the episodes of Karbala and atrocities inflicted on the martyres will be organised throughtout Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. The series of majalis which commenced on Ist of Muharram will culminate on the day followed by Zuljannah processions to be participated by mourners. The processions will be marching on their traditional routes throughout the day and terminate at Imam barghas in the evening where sessions of Sham-e-Ghariban will be held. The government has already declared January 7 and 8 (9th and 10th) Muharram as holidays and all government offices commercial centres were closed. Newspapers will bring out special supplements while TV channels will present special programmes on the day. Allama Zaki Baqri will address the Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariabn to be telecast on TV. In Lahore, the main zuljannah procession was brought out from Nisar Haveli at 10 pm on Wednesday following a Majlis-e-Aza addressed by Zakir Shujar Hussain Shujar. The procession marched on its traditional route in the walled city and Mohallah Shian Mochi gate throughout the night. Eminent Shia and Sunni leaders were accompanying the procession while the Police and security personnel guarded the route to prevent any untoward incident. Milk, cold drinks and eatables stalls were set up on the entire route while Red Crescent, Anjuna-e-Hussainia, ISO have also set up medical camps for the treatment of injured mourners. In the early morning on Thursday, it is scheduled for a halt at chowk Nawab Sahib where the mourners will offer fajr prayer. After the prayers, mourners will beat their chests with iron chains in an emotional way and reschedule the procession to proceed further throughout the route from Lakr Mandi, Chohatta Mufti Baqar, Old Kotwali, Dehli Gate, Kashmiri bazaar and reach Rang Mahal before zohr prayers where a majlis will be held after the prayer. The procession will then go on marching on its route through Soha bazaar, Paniwala Talab, tehsil bazaar, Bazar Hakeeman, Bhati gate and terminate at Karbala Gamay Shah in the evening. Meanwhile, zuljannah processions of 9th of Moharram were brought out in the country on Wednesday. In Lahore, processions were brought out from hundreds of places including Islampura, Moghi gate, Shahdman, Thokar Bniaz Beg, Imamia Colony etc.