Processions for the 7th Muharram are taking place in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and other cities, as the Shia community participates in lively gatherings. The governments of Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have enforced Section 144 and prohibited pillion riding from Muharram 7 to 10. This regulation mandates that rooftops of shops and houses along procession routes must remain clear, and spectators are not allowed to stand on planks in front of shops.
These processions honor the martyrdom of Hazrat Qasim (RA). The gatherings featured intensified chest-beating as speakers recounted the hardships faced by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions during the Battle of Karbala, particularly their lack of water from the Euphrates River.
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The events commemorate Hazrat Qasim, the son of Hazrat Imam Hasan (RA), who was raised by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). Imam Hussain (RA) had intended for Qasim to marry his eldest daughter, Fatima Kubra, but the wedding was delayed until their arrival in Karbala. Aware of the impending martyrdom of his companions, Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) arranged for the marriage shortly after their arrival, and these processions serve as a tribute to this young couple.
