Shiite Muslims worldwide recently commemorated Ashura, an annual event mourning the seventh-century martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson.
These rituals aim to evoke the sorrow and suffering of Imam Hussein and his companions.
Hussein was killed by Yazid ibn Muawiya’s forces, the Umayyad caliph, in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
His death is believed to have solidified the division between Shiites, who regard him as a rightful successor to the prophet, and Sunnis, the largest Islamic sect.
The conflict arose because Hussein refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid, viewing him as an illegitimate and tyrannical ruler who deviated from the true principles of Islam established by Prophet Muhammad.
Hussein’s stance was driven by a commitment to justice and the preservation of Islamic values. Yazid, seeking to consolidate his authority and eliminate opposition, ordered an army to confront Hussein and his small band of followers.
The battle on the plains of Karbala culminated in the brutal killing of Hussein, his family members, and supporters, an event deeply mourned and commemorated, especially within the Shia Muslim community.
The religious aspects of Ashura are rooted in sacrifice, resistance, and piety. For Shia Muslims, Imam Hussein’s stand at Karbala is seen as a profound act of faith and defiance against oppression.
Shiites comprise the majority of Muslims in Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan, with sizable minority populations in countries like Pakistan and India.
Ashura, or “the 10th day,” occurs on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is the holiest day for Shiites, many of whom make pilgrimages to Karbala, Iraq, where Hussein’s tomb is traditionally believed to be located.
Some Shiites express mourning by beating themselves on the back with chains, intended to connect them with Hussein’s suffering and death as an aid to salvation on the Day of Judgement.
Hussein’s martyrdom is widely interpreted by Shiites as a symbol of the struggle against injustice, tyranny, and oppression. Symbols of Shiite piety and repentance include red flags for Hussein’s blood and black garments for mourning.
