Middle East Eye takes a closer look at the day and how it is marked by Muslims. Many leading Shia Islamic jurists, including the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini, have either condemned the act or argued that it is redundant in the modern era, but a minority of religious figures continue to stress its importance, usually with the caveat that no harm occurs to those taking part in the ritual. One controversial aspect of the Shia mourning of Hussein is the practice among some of self-flagellation, or tatbir. While some Sunni Muslims do take part in mourning ceremonies for Hussein, especially followers of Sufi traditions, the events are less intense than their Shia counterparts.
The battle took place in 680 CE and while it became one of the causes of the split between Shia and Sunni Muslims, it happened long before religious differences between Sunni and Shia factions had crystallised.įor example, Sunnis also revere Hussein and many also take a negative view of Yazid, who is often criticised for his impiety. Shia rites on the day include colourful plays re-enacting the battle’s events, with the faithful taking on the role of Hussein and his followers as they took on Umayyad forces loyal to the Caliph Yazid I. Baghdad beats: Meet the Shia rappers raising the roof Read More »įor the Sunni majority, the day is marked with fasting and special prayers in mosques. For Shia Muslims, it marks the anniversary of the killing of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hussein during the Battle of Karbala, and is therefore a day of mourning. The day of Ashura is an important occasion in the Islamic calendar that carries a spiritual and historical significance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Shia Muslims in Iraq re-enact the Battle of Karbala during the Islamic month of Muharram (AFP)By Nadda Osman13 August 2021 10:01 UTC | Last update: 20 hours 44 mins ago1.7kShares Middle East Eye looks at why the day is significant from both a religious and historic perspective
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