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IN PICS -- Mourning, music and meditation: Shias and Sunnis observe Muharram

Muharram, also known as Ashura or 'Youm-e-Ashura', marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. The 10th day of Muharram falls on 10th September this year. Muharram is also considered to be the holiest of all months after Ramzan.
Muharram, also known as Ashura or 'Youm-e-Ashura', marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. The 10th day of Muharram falls on 10th September this year. Muharram is also considered to be the holiest of all months after Ramzan. (Photo from Delhi| Arun K
Muharram, also known as Ashura or 'Youm-e-Ashura', marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. The 10th day of Muharram falls on 10th September this year. Muharram is also considered to be the holiest of all months after Ramzan. (Photo from Delhi| Arun K
TNIE online desk
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Shiites mark the tenth day of the month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (Photo | PTI)
Shiites mark the tenth day of the month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (Photo | PTI)
During the first ten days of the Muharram month, Shiite Muslims observe a fast to mourn the death of Imam Hussein, and his family members and to honour the sacrifices made in the Battle of Karbala (in present day Iraq). Shia Muslims also refrain from attending and celebrating all joyous events in this period. (Photo from Patna | PTI)
During the first ten days of the Muharram month, Shiite Muslims observe a fast to mourn the death of Imam Hussein, and his family members and to honour the sacrifices made in the Battle of Karbala (in present day Iraq). Shia Muslims also refrain from attending and celebrating all joyous events in this period. (Photo from Patna | PTI)
The Battle of Karbala was fought between a small group of supporters and relatives of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein and the army of Yazid I, the Umayyad Caliph. (A Muslim boy in Chennai practices self-flagellation| Ashwin Prasath, EPS)
The Battle of Karbala was fought between a small group of supporters and relatives of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein and the army of Yazid I, the Umayyad Caliph. (A Muslim boy in Chennai practices self-flagellation| Ashwin Prasath, EPS)
The army captured Hussein and his group, depriving them of water and food in the desert for three days. They then killed Hussein and all the menfolk, sparing only his sick son. Women were unveiled – a violation of their honor as the family members of the prophet – and paraded to Damascus, the seat of Umayyad rule. (IN PIC: Muslim women display placards with a picture of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as they take part in a Muharram procession in Bhopal/ PTI)
The army captured Hussein and his group, depriving them of water and food in the desert for three days. They then killed Hussein and all the menfolk, sparing only his sick son. Women were unveiled – a violation of their honor as the family members of the prophet – and paraded to Damascus, the seat of Umayyad rule. (IN PIC: Muslim women display placards with a picture of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as they take part in a Muharram procession in Bhopal/ PTI)
Muslims honour the sacrifice of the innocent lives by observing a mourning period by participating in processions and self-flagellation. Mourners use sharp objects such as knives or chains which have blades attached to them and other weapons to self-flagellate while chanting 'Ya Hussein' loudly. (Photo from Chennai| Ashwin Prasath, EPS)
Muslims honour the sacrifice of the innocent lives by observing a mourning period by participating in processions and self-flagellation. Mourners use sharp objects such as knives or chains which have blades attached to them and other weapons to self-flagellate while chanting 'Ya Hussein' loudly. (Photo from Chennai| Ashwin Prasath, EPS)
Sunni Muslims observe Muharram a different way. They fast on the 9th, 10th and 11th day of the Muharram month. For Sunnis, the 10th day of the Muharram month also marks the day Musa (Moses) was saved from the Pharaoh of Egypt by Allah. Hazrat Musa (or Moses) along with his followers (the children of Israel) defeated the evil Pharaoh by crossing the Red Sea. Jews at that time started fasting on this day to value the efforts of Hazrat Musa. Prophet Muhammad came to know of this tradition, he wanted his followers to observe a two-day fast on the day of Ashura and the day prior. (Photo from Shimla | PTI)
Sunni Muslims observe Muharram a different way. They fast on the 9th, 10th and 11th day of the Muharram month. For Sunnis, the 10th day of the Muharram month also marks the day Musa (Moses) was saved from the Pharaoh of Egypt by Allah. Hazrat Musa (or Moses) along with his followers (the children of Israel) defeated the evil Pharaoh by crossing the Red Sea. Jews at that time started fasting on this day to value the efforts of Hazrat Musa. Prophet Muhammad came to know of this tradition, he wanted his followers to observe a two-day fast on the day of Ashura and the day prior. (Photo from Shimla | PTI)
In some places, communities organise blood donation drives instead of self-flagellation rituals.(Photo from Chennai| Ashwin Prasath, EPS)
In some places, communities organise blood donation drives instead of self-flagellation rituals.(Photo from Chennai| Ashwin Prasath, EPS)
Some will make a pilgrimage to a shrine in Karbala, where the tomb of Husayn ibn Ali lies. Shiite Muslims believe that Hussein was their third imam – a line of 12 divinely appointed spiritual and political successors. (Photo from Islamabad | AP)
Some will make a pilgrimage to a shrine in Karbala, where the tomb of Husayn ibn Ali lies. Shiite Muslims believe that Hussein was their third imam – a line of 12 divinely appointed spiritual and political successors. (Photo from Islamabad | AP)
In Iraq, millions of pilgrims fill the streets to visit the shrines, chanting poems of lamentation, and witness a reenactment of violence in Karbala and the capture of the women and children. (Photo from Islamabad | AP)
In Iraq, millions of pilgrims fill the streets to visit the shrines, chanting poems of lamentation, and witness a reenactment of violence in Karbala and the capture of the women and children. (Photo from Islamabad | AP)
From New York and London to Hyderabad and Melbourne, thousands take part in Ashura processions carrying replicas of Hussein’s battle standard and following a white horse. This symbolizes Hussein’s riderless horse returning to the camp after his martyrdom. (Photo from Lahore | AP)
From New York and London to Hyderabad and Melbourne, thousands take part in Ashura processions carrying replicas of Hussein’s battle standard and following a white horse. This symbolizes Hussein’s riderless horse returning to the camp after his martyrdom. (Photo from Lahore | AP)
Persian passion plays known as “taziyeh,” music dramas of the many martyrs and tragedies of Karbala, are performed across Iran and many other countries. Taziyeh performances are meant to evoke deep emotions of grief in the audience. (Photo from Tehran | AP)
Persian passion plays known as “taziyeh,” music dramas of the many martyrs and tragedies of Karbala, are performed across Iran and many other countries. Taziyeh performances are meant to evoke deep emotions of grief in the audience. (Photo from Tehran | AP)
Weddings and other festivities are not allowed as Muharram is a solemn time. A Shiite Muslim boy beat his chest with others during a Muharram procession, in Peshawar, Pakistan. (Photo | AP)
Weddings and other festivities are not allowed as Muharram is a solemn time. A Shiite Muslim boy beat his chest with others during a Muharram procession, in Peshawar, Pakistan. (Photo | AP)
Today the story of Karbala has become a powerful tool of fight for social justice in Muslim communities. (Photo | PTI)
Today the story of Karbala has become a powerful tool of fight for social justice in Muslim communities. (Photo | PTI)
Muharram or Ashura is not just a period of intense mourning. On a deeper level, it stands for the fight against oppression and tyranny. (Photo from Chennai | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)
Muharram or Ashura is not just a period of intense mourning. On a deeper level, it stands for the fight against oppression and tyranny. (Photo from Chennai | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)
muslims
Muharram
Prophet Muhammad
shia muslims

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