Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening my friends, wherever you are! This
is 7:00pm. 25th 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 10th 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.
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.
Today is the 10th 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.
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| 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.
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