The commemoration of the martyrdom of the Prophet's grandson Husayn during Muharram is observed by Shi's Muslims around the world.
From Pakistan and India to Iran and the Lebanon, Shi'a observe 40 days of mourning from the beginning of the month of Muharram culminating on the tenth day, Ashura and ending on the 20th of Safar - the 40th day after Husayn's martyrdom.
(See map of the main Shi'a populations)
Although Muharram is one of the most potent means of reinforcing the unity of the Shi'a people, it is commemorated in different ways around the world.
Oration Mourning Imam Husayn
One of the characteristic features of the Muharram ceremony is the meeting of Shi'a to recite the sufferings and martyrdom of Husayn. The terms associated with this ceremony differ from country to country. In Iran this meeting is known as a 'rawda' but in Iraq it is a 'ta'azyah'. The location of the meeting also differs. In Iran and Iraq they are held in a building that has been especially converted for the purpose of recitals of the suffering of Husayn called a 'Husayniyya'. In Bahrain, where 55-60% of the population is Shi'a, the recital is held in a 'Ma'tam'. In Lebanon the meeting is held in a private house and is called a 'ta'ziya' and in India such an event is called a 'majlis' and is held in an 'Imambara'.
The nature of the recitations reflects the moral values and ethnic attributes of the various Shi'a communities. Groups of pilgrims from Azerbaijan and India for example conduct their own service according to the custom of their home country. In Malaysia and Singapore the Ashura which is the actual day of the martyrdom of Husayn and his followers is commemorated by fasting for the day.
Street Processions
There is some variation as to the nature of the processions that winds its way through the streets of the holy cities around the Shi'a world. In India the procession (jalus) forms around a replica of the tomb of Husayn in Karbala and the ceremony ends with the burial of the replica tomb. This model of the tomb is known as 'ta'ziya'. However, in Iraq and Bahrain ta'ziya is the name given to the street processions. The practice of self-flagellation held in the first ten days of Muharram though widespread in the Shi'a world varies according to the different ethnic group. For example the practice of head cutting which is seen as the most violent form of flagellation is confined to Iraq.
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Procession outside Shrine in Karbala |
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Theatrical Presentation of the Karbala tragedy
In Iran, this highly-stylised presentation known as 'ta'ziya' depicts what happened at Karbala. This Shi'a equivalent of the Christian Passion Play evolved in Iran and spread to the shrine cities in Iraq where it is called 'Shabih' and south Lebanon although it does not seem to be practiced in other Shi'a communities.
There are also differences in the performance of these plays in Iraq compared to Iran. The dialogues in the Iraqi play are minimal. Among the rural and tribal communities the play often takes the form of a carnival. The characters in the play tend to be portrayed differently. For example, the character of 'Abbas, Husayn's brother in the Iraqi play is portrayed as possessing attributes of ideal manhood as compared with the Iranian interpretation of him which views him as a man seeking martyrdom.
In Britain, the commemoration varies according to the cultural background of the Shi'a worshippers. Many communities hold commemorative marches and gatherings on Ashura especially in London where the annual march draws approximately 5,000 people each year. Most British Shi'a Muslims tend not to partake in the more physical rituals of self-flagellation and cutting, if they do it is not publicly.
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