Shia Muslims Mark Martyrdom Anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) on Ashura
Shia Muslims around the world commemorated the martyrdom anniversary of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) grandson Imam Hussein (AS) yesterday, November 25.
Millions of people, dressed in black, took to the streets and mosques on Sunday, the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram, to mourn the tragedy on a day known as Ashura.
The annual commemoration is held in different regions of the world and mourning rituals are performed to eulogize the Shias' third Imam.
Ashura marks the day when Imam Hussein (AS), along with 72 of his companions, was martyred in a battle against the second Umayyad caliph in Karbala, Iraq, more than 14 centuries ago.
Imam Hussein (AS) is referred as “Lord of Martyrs” by Shia Muslims and is remembered as the symbol of freedom and dignity.
Imam (AS) rose up against the tyrant of the time, Yazid, and was martyred after rejecting allegiance to him.
In the battle of Karbala, Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions were encircled by an army of 30,000 which decapitated martyrs and ran over bodies with horses.
Yazid’s army then plundered tents of Imam Hussein’s (AS) family and burned them. Then, they moved girls and women along heads of the martyrs to Yazid’s court.
Anger at Imam’s (AS) martyrdom became a rallying cry that helped oust Umayyads.
Ashura symbolizes the eternal struggle of truth against falsehood and the battle against injustice and cruelty realized by Imam Hussein (AS)as he offered supreme sacrifice to uphold the principles against tyranny.
On Ashura, Iranian mourners hold special ceremonies in line with their local traditions in different cities and offer foods at public venues like mosques.
People also gather to watch Ta'zieh, or the Persian Passion Play which is a ritual dramatic art that recounts religious events, historical and mythical stories and folk tales through poetry, music, song and motion.
Source: Press TV
The annual commemoration is held in different regions of the world and mourning rituals are performed to eulogize the Shias' third Imam.
Ashura marks the day when Imam Hussein (AS), along with 72 of his companions, was martyred in a battle against the second Umayyad caliph in Karbala, Iraq, more than 14 centuries ago.
Imam Hussein (AS) is referred as “Lord of Martyrs” by Shia Muslims and is remembered as the symbol of freedom and dignity.
Imam (AS) rose up against the tyrant of the time, Yazid, and was martyred after rejecting allegiance to him.
In the battle of Karbala, Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions were encircled by an army of 30,000 which decapitated martyrs and ran over bodies with horses.
Yazid’s army then plundered tents of Imam Hussein’s (AS) family and burned them. Then, they moved girls and women along heads of the martyrs to Yazid’s court.
Anger at Imam’s (AS) martyrdom became a rallying cry that helped oust Umayyads.
Ashura symbolizes the eternal struggle of truth against falsehood and the battle against injustice and cruelty realized by Imam Hussein (AS)as he offered supreme sacrifice to uphold the principles against tyranny.
On Ashura, Iranian mourners hold special ceremonies in line with their local traditions in different cities and offer foods at public venues like mosques.
People also gather to watch Ta'zieh, or the Persian Passion Play which is a ritual dramatic art that recounts religious events, historical and mythical stories and folk tales through poetry, music, song and motion.
Source: Press TV
