Remembering Hussein ibn Ali : Muharram

"Muharram", the term gets its origin from the Arabian term haraam, meaning 'sinful'. Muharram is observed on the first month of Islamic calendar. In the Shia regions of countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain and Pakistan Muharram is a national Holiday.

Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram is observed by the Shia Muslims as the day of mourning for the grandson of Muhammad, Hussein Ibn Ali. The last few days of Muharram until the day of Ashura is very crucial as this was the time when Hussein and his family were killed in the Battle of Karbala by the rival army of Umayyad caliph Yazid I.

In this historical battle 72 people from Hussein's family and his followers were killed. The survivors of Hussein's group, including women and children were captivated and imprisoned in Damascus.

It is recorded in the Hadith, which is the report of prophet Muhammad's sayings, that Moses along his followers was victorious over the Egyptian Pharaoh on the last day of Muharram.

Sunni Muslims also observe Muharram but as a time of remembrance and not as a time of mourning.

On the day of Ashura the Shia Muslims make pilgrimages to Mashhad al-Husayn, the tomb of Hussein.

On the day of Ashura the Shias wear their mourning attire and they refrain music. Muharram is a time of self-reflection, a time when the Muslims commit themselves entirely to Hussein. Hussein's struggle according to Shia Muslims is interpreted as a sign of standing boldly against injustice, tyranny and oppression.

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