Muslims in different parts of the country observe the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) and other members of the family in accordance with their religious persuasions, with the Shia community mourning the loss by taking out processions and holding majalis whose number runs into scores and, in major towns, even hundreds. Both the Sunnis and the Shias have been living side by side with one another in harmony since ages. There have hardly been any eyebrows raised over the separate ways to observe this religious event, except in isolated places there have been mere tension. Rather, the Sunnis willingly offer help to the Shias in the smooth performance of their rites; they put up stalls serving free drinks and tea. According to an observer, as many as 85 percent of such stalls have been put up by the Sunnis during this Muharram. However, terrorism that has, for the past decade or so, fallen on the country as a standing curse has found the occasion most conducive to execute its diabolical designs; and as its agents come from the hardline Sunni stock that would bear no dissent, they are out to kill and terrorise the Shias.
This unfortunate and, indeed, tricky situation prompted President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Ashraf and COAS General Kayani to put their heads together to finalise the strategy to counter the menace. Apparently, the government has gone in for measures that in normal circumstances would appear simply too outlandish. Banning the cell phone services in the 46 sensitive towns and cities across the country on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, which mark the culmination of the mourning period, is one of them. Then, the parking as well as the riding of motorcycles within half a mile of the route of the procession has been prohibited. Similarly, pillion riding would not be allowed on these two days. Certain circles have objected to these extreme steps but Interior Minister Rehman Malik has justified the decision by pointing out that 90 percent of bombs or improvised explosive devices have been set off by the militants with the use of cell phones and motorcycles in the past two years in the country. Pillion riders have been known for hurling bombs and grenades to hit their targets. Besides, the sneaky way of the militants to achieve their objective and the invaluable loss of life and property they cause would necessitate the use of extreme measures.
The entire civilian security setup in the country has been actively engaged in the prevention of attacks by evil-doers and the army is on call. Yet, the militants do succeed here and there, as witnessed on Friday when a bomb explosion killed two at Swabi in the Khyber Agency and the police shot down a suicide bomber at Lakki Marwat without any other loss, thankfully. On Saturday, the 9thof Muharram, seven persons, including three children, were killed as a suicide bomber blew himself up near a procession. Let us keep our fingers crossed; the biggest processions are taken out in the memory of Imam Hussain (RA) who was martyred on the 10th.