Ashura
By Aida Zilkic and Riley Callison
About Ashura
Hussein overthrew yazid with one hudred men. Yazid was a killer and by bringing him down Hussein brought Yazid to justice in the eyes of god, because the ten commandments to never kill, unless it is god’s will. Shia’a muslims celebrate Ashura to commemorate the martyrdom of hussein.
Ashura, an optional fast day for muslims that commemorates the martyrdom in Shia’a Islam. The word Ashura means tenth in arabic and the Holiday is the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram (around November) on the Islamic calendar. Muslims observe Ashura through mourning rituals such as self flagellation (beating) and reenactment of the Martyrdom.
This event takes place in Iraq near Karbala (bank of Euphrates River) Ashura celebrates the small group of people who fought against Yazid (second Umayyad Caliph upon succeeding his father Muawiyah) Hussien was the leader of the rebel group who defeated Yazid.
Shi’a Muslims believe that Hussien was the one who was meant to lead Islam, and his death is a was a tragedy for Shia'a Muslims that is fixed in their collective memory.
They saw Hussein as an innocent spiritual figure… in many ways martyred by a far more powerful, unjust force.
When will Ashura next happen?
Did you know?
The Muslim Calendar
Ritual knifes
Self flagellation
Sources
"Yazid Bin Muawiya." Ahlus Sunnah. Web. 02 Dec. 2014. <http://www.ahlus-sunna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65&Itemi=130>.
"Ashura.com." Ashura.com. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://Ashura.com/>.
Hafiz, Yasmine."Ashura 2013: Dates, Rituals And History Explained (PHOTOS)." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 12 Nov. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/12/ashura-2013-dates-rituals-history_n_4262451.html>.
"The Day of 'Ashura." About. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://islam.about.com/od/otherdays/a/ashura.htm>.
"Shi’ite Muslims Around the World Mark Ashura | TIME.com." World Shiite Muslims Around the World Mark Ashura Comments. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://world.time.com/2013/11/14/shiite-muslims-celebrate-ashura/>.