Shias take part in Muharram procession
Shia muslims from all over
India take part in Muharram procession.
In India, there is great diversity of religious beliefs and practices. Throughout India's history, religion has been an important part of the country's culture. Here, every religion is respected and its followers freely practice their faith. Among the various religions in India,
Islam has the second largest following, constituting 14.4% of the entire country's population with a staggering 176 million muslims in the country.
This vast
Muslim population of the country observes various
Islamic festivals in accordance with their faith. Muharram is one such festival of the
Muslim community and commemorates one of the greatest events in the history of Islam - the martyrdom of the
Prophet's grandson, Hussain. The event marks the anniversary of the
Battle of Karbala when
Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the
Islamic prophet Muhammad, and a
Shia Imam, was killed by the forces of the second
Umayyad caliph Yazid the first. On this day, one can observe many a 'majalis' or gathering to review Islamic teachings and to commemorate
Imam Hussain's sacrifice. This day is referred to as the day of
Ashura.
Sunnis also observe this day but as the day of a victory for Islam. They fast to commemorate the day when
Moses or
Musa and his followers were saved from the
Pharaoh by
Allah as he parted the
Red Sea to let the faithful through.
According to Islam, Muharram is the first month of the
Islamic Calendar. But instead of joyous celebrations,
Shia Muslims mark the beginning of the
New Year by mourning the death of Hussain. On this day, the sacrifices of Hussain and his companions are remembered. Muharram is one of the most sacred Islamic months, second only to Ramadan.
Shia Muslims begin mourning from the first night of Muharram and continue thus for ten nights. The tenth day of Muharram is the
Day of Ashura. There is lamenting and grieving to the tune of beating drums and chants of "
Ya Hussain".
To express their grief on the death of Hazrat
Imam Husain, they beat their chests.
Others flagellate their bodies with chains or whips, consisting of small knives and sharp objects, drawing blood.
The Muharram procession passing through the streets of major
Indian cities is a strange and fascinating spectacle verging on the bizarre, for although the accompanying music sounds like a funeral dirge, it takes time for one to realise that the participants are mourners not revellers.
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