EVENTS
What events take place in the month of Muharram
The assembly in focus
In the several countries and regions of the globe, mourning ceremonies and gatherings are held activities such as:
- Food and water distribution and communal eating.
- Speech by a theologian, scholar or speech.
- Reading of rhythmic mourning poetry.
- Visualisation/ theater with role play.
- Quran recitation.
- Recitation of the peace greeting (Ziyara).
Non-Muslim countries may have programs in several languages for each assembly.
The Imam Ali Mosque and the Imam al-Sadiq Center are examples of mosques and hangouts that plan the holding of their programs according to the language and ethnicity of the members, thus meeting the need.
Diversity and diversity
It is reported that Imam Al-Ridha (pbuh) said to the son of Shabib:
"O Ibn Shabib, if you weep for anything, let it be over Hussein son of Ali, for he was slain as a ram is slaughtered, along with eighteen of his household members who had no imitators on that earth. For his murder wept the seven heavens and the earth, and four thousand angels were sent down to support him waited at his grave until the rise of the Qaim (Imam Mahdi), where their slogan is: Justice for Hussain!”.
Followers of several religions and sects see in Imam Hussain's rise and stand a theological and humanitarian connection between calling and action. Therefore, the visit of well-known Christian leaders in particular is not unknown in the Iraqi cityscape during the Ashura mourning ceremonies.
The black garment of sorrow
Despite the fact that the Ashura tragedy took place on the 10th of Muharram, it is the tradition that the mourning ceremonies and gatherings are started primarily from the first day of the year on the Islamic lunar calendar.
This is marked by covering the premises in i.a. mosques and religious places of worship with black covering etc. the marking of the mourning period cf. the Imams' work during the same period of the year.
The first ten nights of Muharram
What are the main topics and subtopics of the speakers
1st night - Muharram moon and
its visibility
Main themes:
- The imams and the memory of mourning.
- The Imams mourning rituals and ceremonies.
- The Muslim world after Imam Ali and
Imam Hassan's martyrdom.
Examples of subtopics:
-
To remember Ahlul Bayts joy and sorrow.
-
Brotherly friendship; the road to paradise.
-
The escape from the clock and its implications and responsibilities.
-
Identity and attachment to the environment and homeland.
-
Caring and its role in a person's life.
The message and the execution
While Hussain died in the battle, the message of Hussain was born. His actions and position at Karbala inspired a series of small rebellions against Yazid that eventually led to his death.
Yazid showed the world his corrupt morals after the Battle of Karbala, where he took Hussain's family as prisoners and forced them to travel nearly a thousand kilometers to his palace. But Hussain's family did not yield to Yazid just because of Hussain's death, rather they were also inspired by his stand. Hussain's sister Zainab and his son Ali ibn Hussain both made powerful speeches against Yazid in front of his ministers, urging him to kill Hussain, but also his corrupt regime.
On the day of Ashura, many Muslims participate in large peaceful gatherings, reciting poems in memory of Hussain and his sacrifice while lamenting and beating their chests as a cultural tradition to show their grievance. Many people use the day of Ashura as a day to perform kindness and charity as a way for them to keep alive the same principles and values that Hussain gave his life for.