Rawalpindi: In a significant Ashura observance, marked by calls for unity and respect across religious divides, Head of Tehreek Nafaz Fiqh-e-Jafariya (TNFJ) Pakistan, Allama Agha Syed Hussain Muqdisi, emphasized the need for cohesive national and global action on issues like Palestine and Kashmir during the main procession in Rawalpindi.
According to Tehreek Nafaz Fiqhe Jafariya, Allama Muqdisi, while addressing mourners and media at Committee Chowk, highlighted the pressing challenges faced by the Muslim community worldwide, particularly the plight of Palestinians and Kashmiris. He urged the Pakistani government and the international Islamic community to rally in solidarity against oppression, invoking the spirit of Imam Hussain’s sacrifice which he described as a beacon for freedom movements globally.
Muqdisi strongly criticized the Punjab government’s policies, which he claimed were continuation of previous political errors, particularly concerning the treatment of Muharram observances. He decried the implementation of what he termed incorrect and unconstitutional Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by the Home Department, which have allegedly interfered with traditional mourning rituals. The leader warned that the community was prepared to take significant steps to protect its constitutional rights if these grievances were not addressed.
The TNFJ leader also spoke out against the division attempts between Sunni and Shia Muslims in Pakistan, stressing that there is no inherent conflict between the two sects. He noted that external elements paid to sow discord are the real threat to national unity. The Ashura resolution, presented during the event, supported the ongoing military operations against militants and honored the sacrifices of the Pakistani army, particularly those who have fallen in recent terrorist attacks.
The procession, which began at various historic Imambargahs, culminated in a large gathering at Fawara Chowk where another TNFJ leader, Allama Syed Qamar Haider Zaidi, spoke on the philosophy of martyrdom and the historical context of Ashura. Various community services, including medical camps and refreshment stalls, were organized by the Mukhtar Students Organization and Ibrahim Scouts to support the attendees.