Muharram

Remembering the torment of HusseinThe tenth day of the first month of Muharram in the Muslim calendar, a day of mourning, strictly observed by adherents of Islam. On this day, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, Husayn (626-680), was killed.

Hussein was the second son of the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad Fatima. To avoid internecine strife, Hasan, the eldest grandson of the Prophet, agreed with Caliph Muawiyah that after his death, his heir would not claim the title of caliph (supreme ruler). However, Yazid, the son of Muawiyah, broke this agreement and illegally seized power. Being despotic and vicious, he wanted to subjugate Imam Hussein, Hassan's younger brother. He was looking for an opportunity to carry out the insidious plan, and when Hussein went to Kufa with 72 members of his family and relatives, he began to implement it.

Yazid and his men stopped Hussein near the Euphrates River and subjected them to terrible torture and torture. Hussein and his followers steadfastly withstood all the hardships, but categorically refused to recognize Yazid as the caliph. In memory of this heroic resistance that took place in the Iraqi city of Karbala, Muharram is noted.

In the largest cities of the state of Gujarat, long processions of believers take to the streets, accompanying “taziyahs” – reduced copies of Hussein’s tomb and leading a horse (in memory of Hussein’s horse). This practice was initiated by Amir Timur, who invaded India in 1398 CE. Timur built the first model of the tomb after returning to Samarkand from a pilgrimage to Karbala. Processions of the thesis are accompanied by orchestras playing dull melodies. On special platforms are placed gymnasts and acrobats, numerous adherents. Part of the festivities is also dramatic performances, reviving episodes of the tragedy of ancient years.