Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening my friends, wherever you are! This
is 7:00pm. 25
th November, Sunday in India and I’m here for you with
my evening coffee! Hope you are enjoying your weekend, so am I.
Today is the 10
th day of Muharram. In India, it is a big event
and a National holiday. I want to express you, how it is celebrated here.
Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson-
Hazrat Imam Hussein. It is observed all over the world by the Muslims
especially the Shia community. Tazias, glittering replicas of the Martyr's
tomb, are carried in procession through the streets. The Tazias of Lucknow and
Hyderabad are noted for their splendour. In places like Lucknow, Delhi,
Agra and Jaipur, grand scale processions are held. People
beat their chest in mourning to the tune of beating drums and chant 'Ya
Hussain'. Devotees beat themselves and inflict wounds on their own bodies.
The mourning starts from the 1st day of Muharram and lasts for 10 days until
10th of Muharram. It is the first month of Islamic
calendar.
During this month, while on a journey, Hazrat Imam Hussain, his family members
and a number of his followers were surrounded by the forces of Yazid, the
Muslim ruler of the time. During the siege, they were deprived of food and
water and many of them were put to death. The incident happened at a place
called
Karbala in Iraq in 61st year after Hijra. This
dispute was result of a disagreement among Muslims on the question of
succession after the demise of Hazrat Ali, the fourth
caliph.Some
sects of Muslims hold meetings where speeches are made on the happenings of
Karbala and on the lives of martyrs.
The Shias, however, observe this festival in a different fashion. As Muharram,
the first month of the Muslim year, approaches, they put on
black
clothes, as
black is regarded as a colour of
mourning. Majalis (assemblies) are held every day during the first
nine days where Shia orators relate the incident of the
martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his party in a great detail.
 |
| Tazia Procession in Delhi, India |
The killing of Hussain happened on the tenth day of month of Muharram, and
the event was called Ashura. It is now observed as a day for public expression
of grief. These circumstances divided the Muslim community into the Shias and
the Sunnis. The Shias consider Ali, Hassan and Hussain the rightful successors
of Prophet Mohammed and mourn their death during Muharram.
The first nine days are also spent in making bamboo and paper replicas of
the martyr’s tomb. On Ashura, the tenth day, decorated taziyas, or tombs
embellished with precious metals, are carried through the city streets. Large
processions are formed and the devoted followers parade the streets holding
banners and carrying models of the
mausoleum of Hazrat
Imam Hussain and his people, who fell at Karbala. A horse is led in procession
in memory of Hussain’s horse, Dul Dul. It is a sad occasion and everyone in the
procession chants "Ya Hussain", with loud wails of
lamentation.
Muharram began in the evening of
Wednesday, 14 November 2012, and ends in the evening of Friday, 14 December 2012.
Well, that’s all for
today! Take care yourself and your family! Have
a good day/ afternoon/evening/night! Namaskar.
