Day of Ashura: when the people mourn Husayn ibn Ali

On the tenth day of the first month of the Islamic calendar, muslims celebrate the Day of Ashura and gather in Karbala to mourn the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali.

In many Muslim countries, it is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year, as Husayn ibn Ali opposed Yazid I when he tried to prevent Islamic teachings.

Husayn ibn Ali’s story

Together with only a few men and many families of young and old, Husayn fought against an army of 100.000 strong men. They died of thirst and through the swords of the army but with their religion still in their hearts.

And Husayn – according to the stories – was said to have died with the words on his lips that he would gladly die to defend the religion of Mohammad.

Karbala becomes the place of commemoration

On this day, many pilgrim to Husayn’s grave which is located in Karbala in Iraq, close to numerous other Shrines of martyrs. There was a time when those commemorations were not wanted by the rulers but since the Buyi dynasty, all people are free to commemorate the day of Ashura.

This, however, is no day of celebration but of mourning. People are fasting, solemn processions and many recitations and seminars take place. To the beating of the drums, the mourners grieve and chant „Ya Hussain“.

Some mosques provide free sweets and meals to the people. Those usually are donated by others and are given out, considered as holy and can even function as a communion with God. The readings are also offerings to the people as they give insight to the story of Husayn.

While always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the day of Ashura is always different concerning the Gregorian calendar. Due to geographical differences of the countries that celebrate it, there are different dates for each country as well, so the holiday in Iraq is not on the same day as, for example, in Iran.