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CULTURE & TRADITIONS
A sample of the cultural and traditional events that take place in Muharram
TAKYA / تَكيه
(FOOD AND BEVERAGE STAND)
As part of the generosity the Prophets and Imams showed during their lifetime, eating is a natural part of Islam and is thus intensified during Ashura and the memory of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson; Imam Hussain.
Despite the grief over the loss of an Imam, the victory over injustice is celebrated with the distribution of food and drink. Hussain's soul and values are affirmed and kept alive by making sacrifices for others in the form of such basic resources.
In Denmark, the first public dining event under the name "Zufrat Ruqaya" was organized by young people from the Imam al-Sadiq Center, and thus they brought the well-known Iraqi tradition to the heart of Copenhagen's Town Hall Square.
SABIL
(DRINKING WATER STAND)
Several opponents of Imam Hussain's call for justice used unethical and indecent methods to suppress his voice. Some of these methods were to cast doubt on the Imam's intention and intention with the uprising against Yazid. Among other things, the rumors promoted Hussain's interest in the Caliphate and the desire to rule the Muslim world. However, the battle of Karbala showed another ugly face of the regime in Damascus, where water was used as a weapon to thirst Imam Hussain's camp.
The refusal of water to Imam Hussain was transformed into a symbolic fight against evil. This is lived out and remembered by handing out water and tea to everyone, regardless of background or position, via water stalls called "Sabil".
MUDHIF / host
(GUEST BOOTH / GUESTHOUSE
The word "mudhif" is rooted in the noun and noun "dhaif" or guest. The place where you welcome a guest and look after the guest is a "mudhif".
Some among Imam Hussain's lovers and fans want to show their love and earn rewards by donating to various activities during Ashura and Arbaeen. In addition to dining (Zufra or Takya) and drinking water stalls (Sabil), activities such as free transport and logistics can be some of these services you can be offered as a guest of the Imam.
A "Mudhif" is one of these types of donations, where the donor often makes his own house or property available as a guest house for Imam Hussain's visitors during the Ashura period and Arbaeen. This somewhat helps to ease the pressure on paid accommodation such as hotels and rented properties, as well as creating a greater competition as to who gives the most and seeks God's satisfaction and obtains the Imam's pleasure in sacrifice.
ZAFAT AL-QASIM (زفة القاسم) WEDDING VISUALIZATION
It may vary from country to country in relation to how Ashura visualizations are set up and performed.
In Denmark, associations such as the Imam al-Sadiq Center have initiated an annual traditional procession reminiscent of those in Iraq. The procession visualizes, among other things, using an actor to dress as Imam Hassan's son; (al-) Qasim who was martyred at Karbala.
The young man who was supposed to portray Qasim is dressed in white clothes with a green turban followed by a multi-colored lighting setup that indicates wedding preparations.
This "Qasim" is sonically surrounded by drummers and horn players, to show the mixed feelings of wedding and war that prevailed during Qasim's situation.
In addition, you will be able to see one or more decorated horses and possibly women dressed as Qasim's family.
CHAI ABU-Ali / کای ابو علی
(TEA DISTRIBUTION)
In recent years, Copenhagen's Northwest quarter has witnessed an annual Ashura event that takes place on street corners, where water and Iraqi tea are offered.
The well-known al-Hulo family, originally from the city of Basra in Iraq, had a desire to live up to this tradition from their homeland, and thus this was the starting point for this collection of Iraqi Danes and this cozy stall.
The aim of the stall was to create a social meeting point and a dialogue stall for passing on Imam Hussein's message of charity and generosity, as well as remembering the traditions and stories that are reproduced about the Ashura gathering events of the past, which are now repeated everywhere in the world where there are followers of the prophet's household.
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