The Islamic month of Moharram, the first month of the Islamic year, is just days ahead and the government has started with various measures to prevent sectarian violence that happens each year on or around the 10th of Moharram.

One such measure is imposing a ban on clerics who publicly deliver hateful sermons. A few days ago, the provincial government of the Sind province banned the entry of 175 clerics in Karachi, the capital city of the province. These clerics will be denied entry to the city and, if found in there, will be made to leave the city by force.

Among the banned religious figures are also such prominent names as Allama Sajid Naqvi, Allama Maqbool Hussain, and Maulana Ishaque. Also, a ban has been declared on displaying or spreading any hateful content or putting sectarian content in any public place, on the walls etc. Before conducting any program, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) must be obtained from the local administration.

This preventive measure of the provincial government in Sind may be hailed by many people who are conscious of the role which hateful content plays in sparking aggression. However, the religious sphere involved in preaching and orating has expressed its disapproval of the ban, regarding it as a violation of basic human rights.

In Hangu – the town with the most violent history of sectarian clashes, armed forces have been deployed by the government at important localities within the town to prevent any aggression or violence. Two years ago, Hangu witnessed the tragedy of the first suicide bombing made in a mourning procession of the Shia community.

The incidence left dozens of people dead and the subsequent riots cast a heavy lot on life and property of the natives. Since then, Moharram the 10th is perceived as a dangerously sensitive time of the year in Hangu and strict security measures are taken to prevent violence, though the situation does go out of control for a while despite the military pressure.