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4-05-2021
By Syed Hussain Ali Sajjad + Bureau Report
NEW DELHI/ KARACHI/ TEHRAN/ BAGHDAD/ KABUL/ MELBOURNE: Despite fastest rise of COVID-19 infections, deaths and vaccinations and beside strict bans on processions and gatherings and neglecting all types of rumors and possible reactions, threats and results, millions of people observed Youm-e-Ali (AS) with strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while hundreds of mourners have been either arrested or ‘enforced missed or kidnapped’ across the world especially in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (OJ&K) Syria, Iraq, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain and African countries, victims’ families, sources and authorities told Press Media of India (PMI) and Messenger.
According to the reports various Shia organizations have rejected the government ban on the procession of Hazrat Imam Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib (Alaihis-Salaam/ AS) martyrdom day on Ramzan 21 (May 4).
Shia organizations have expressed their determination to take out the procession from the Mubarak Haveli, inside Mochi Gate, on Tuesday morning, in defiance of the ban imposed on any such processions in Lahore. The ban was imposed by the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) meeting recently as per the restrictions under the coronavirus SOPs.
The expected talks between the Shia organizations and the District Administration could not take place on Sunday. However, during the initial contacts with the administration, the Shia leaders had conveyed that they would take out the Youm-e-Ali mourning processions at all costs, as per schedule on Tuesday.
The Shia leaders mentioned that Youm-e-Ali processions had not been banned in the Sindh province and other parts of the country. A leader of Shia Ulema Council (SUC) Lahore, Allama Sibtain Haider Sabzwari, told the media that 
Shias had proved itself to be a responsible community and it had always observed the corona SOPs. He noted that banning only Shia processions was unjustified as all markets were opened, the National Assembly by-polls had been held in Karachi the other day and another by-polls for a Punjab Assembly seat was scheduled for the next week in Khushab. He recalled that last year, the government tried in vain to prevent the Youm-e-Ali processions, and failed to stop them despite using police force and barricades.
The MWM media cell, through a statement, said that Allama Nasir Abbas urged President Dr Arif Alvi to ensure foolproof security of the mourning processions and gatherings.
Asadi said President Alvi was assured of complete observance of the corona SOPs during majalis and the procession. The MWM leadership said the government had allowed the markets to open and Taraveeh prayers to be held inside the mosques. But if it imposed any restrictions on the Youm-e-Ali processions, it would be considered as a prejudiced decision against Shias.
On the other hand the Sindh government has given permission for the Youm-e-Ali (AS) procession in Karachi on May 04, it emerged Monday.
The administration in Karachi has sealed MA Jinnah Road and streets linked to it.
According to the police, shops on the route of the procession are also being sealed. The procession will begin at 6:30am on Tuesday, said a police spokesperson.
The provincial government’s decision to allow the procession contradicts the NCOC’s May 1 decision.
The NCOC decided not to allow processions on Youm-e-Ali due to a spike in the number of coronavirus infections in Pakistan.
Majalis will be allowed under the same SOPs announced for Ramazan prayers in mosques, the NCOC decided.
The main traditional procession of Youm-e-Ali (AS) in Karachi started from Nashtar Park and ended at Hussainia Iranian Kharadar while hundreds of small and big ladies and gents Majalis (religious gatherings) and processions were also arranged and held city wide.
Authorities are boosting security throughout Pakistan as part of ongoing preventive measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 for the Shia’s Youm-e-Ali (AS) observance on May 4. The federal government has banned all traditional large street processions by Shia Muslims observed the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib, whom the community considers the first imam and the progenitor of the rightful successors to the Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (Peace Be Upon Him/ PBUH/ SAWW).
However, the Sindh provincial government has allowed processions; other local variations are likely. The marches typically culminate at prominent Shia imam-bargahs in the evening; some Shi’a outfits announced they would defy orders to organize processions. Indoor group worship at shrines was allowed nationwide.
Amid confusion about whether Youm-e-Ali (AS) processions were permitted in Pakistan or not, hundreds of mourners and processions’ participants were arrested over violating SOPs) issued amid the COVID-19 pandemic but neither the police nor any concerned LEA or government authority is ready to accept or reject or issued any statement in this connection while dozens of members of victim families and sources very closed to secret agencies and security forces revealed that over 1200 Shias have been arrested while at least 600 are either enforced missed or kidnapped nationwide.
In Hyderabad Deccan of India’s Talangana State, very big procession of Youm-e-Ali (AS) was arranged traditionally while Lucknow, Bombay. Allahabad and many other small and big cities and towns were arranged hundreds of Majalis and processions followed by SOPs
America, Australia, United Kingdom, Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria, Iraq and many other European, African and Asian countries even in KSA’s Shia State known as Al-Qatif observed Youm-e-Ali (AS), participants and organizers of processions concluded.
