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Crowds outside the Shrine of Husayn
in Karbala today |
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More than a million Shi'a Muslims have converged on the holy city
of Karbala, some 100 km south of Baghdad to take part in an emotional
commemoration of the massacre of Imam Husayn in 61AH/680CE.
Ashura, a ceremony all but banned by Saddam Hussein, is the anniversary
of Husayn's martyrdom. The month of Muharram is a time for the Shi'a
to grieve for their "Prince of Martyrs" who was surrounded
and outnumbered by troops loyal to the Caliph Yazid some 1300 years
ago. Unwilling to swear allegiance to a regime he did not recognize,
believing the Caliphate was rightfully his, Husayn was brutally cut
down, beheaded and mutilated.
As he died he is reported to have said, "death with dignity is
better than life with humiliation". Shi'a have gathered at Karbala
ever since, home of the Two Shrines to Husayn and his brother 'Abbas
to grieve for the grandson of the Prophet.
This practice was severely curtailed in 1977 when ruling Ba'ath party
members and security forces clashed with Shi'a Muslims on the streets,
thousands were arrested and hundreds killed. Ashura commemorations
have been severely restricted ever since; the faithful were prevented
from entering Karbala and those walking to the holy city were fired
on by Republican Guards.
This year with the fall of Saddam, for the first time in three decades
worshippers will be able to freely mark Ashura, when men throng the
streets beating their chests and heads in collective grief.
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Many weep only when recalling
the suffering of Imam Husayn |
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Each evening people hold gatherings (majalis) around mosques or in
private homes where they remember the events leading up to Husayn's
death. Lectures are given, poems recited and sung stirring up the
faithful who repeatedly rise, beat their breasts and cry out "Ya
Husayn" as the tears fall.
The emotion in Karbala is palpable; eyewitnesses talk of open weeping
and immense grief as pilgrims, many who have walked from Iran or across
Iraq, pay homage to their martyred leader.
But the pilgrimage is not the only religious ritual associated with
Ashura. During this period, many Shi'a observe daytime fasts and nightly
vigils. Muharram reaches its peak on the ninth and tenth days with
commemorative processions and street plays recalling the events of
Hussein's martyrdom.
Recognised orators and cantors lead mourning chants in mosques and
special observances in people's homes. These chants typically recount
the suffering of Hussein and his supporters during the siege in the
desert and the cruel massacre of the forces during the hour of the
Friday noon prayer.
Ashura is also a time to remember the poor and share food with the
less fortunate. Many people sponsor open dinners in the street or
prepare food and tea for their friends and neighbors.
The majority of the visitors to Karbala have come from Iran, Kashmir,
Pakistan and India.
Find out more about the security
measures.
Read why the Shi'a are increasingly
powerful in the new Iraq.
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