FACTBOX-What is the Islamic event of Ashura?
08 Feb 2006 11:25:27 GMT

Source: Reuters

Feb 8 (Reuters) - The Iraqi holy city of Kerbala was shrouded in black on Wednesday as hundreds of thousands of Shi'ite pilgrims converged to mourn the death of the Prophet Mohammad's grandson there 1,300 years ago.

To prevent attacks by insurgents who have previously targeted Ashura events, Iraqi security forces sealed off the city to vehicles and set up checkpoints to body-search pilgrims arriving from other cities, many having walked for days.

Suicide bombings and other attacks on Ashura crowds in Kerbala and Baghdad killed 171 people on March 2, 2004.

Here are some facts about Ashura.

WHAT IS ASHURA?

Ashura is the 10th day of the lunar month of Muharram when according to Islamic tradition Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, was killed in battle in AD 680.

Ashura, the biggest event in the Shi'ite religious calendar, is observed in Iraq and in other countries with sizeable Shi'ite communities, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Syria.

Sunni Muslims also mourn Hussein's death, but less fervently, and Ashura is a reminder of Sunni-Shi'ite rifts dating from disputes over the Prophet Mohammad's succession.

THE BATTLE

On the first day of Muharram, the army of Caliph Yazid laid siege to Hussein and followers in the desert near Kerbala. Hussein was killed in a battle that ensued 10 days later after he had refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid. Hussein was decapitated and his head was taken to Damascus, the seat of the Ummayad dynasty to which Yazid belonged.

THE CEREMONY

During the ceremony, Shi'ites beat their heads and chests and gash their heads with swords to show their grief and echo the suffering of Imam Hussein. Under Saddam Hussein's secular rule, such displays were banned.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L11117869.htm


For those who wants to see what the blood ritual of Ashoura is about, Yahoo! has extensive coverage in its News Photos section.

*WARNING: Some of the links below contain scenes of violence

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The above photos and more may be found at Yahoo! News Photos.

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WARNING: In the unlikely event of an accidental agreement with any or all points made in the above post, contact a clinical psychologist immediately.

The views expressed in the above post are not necessarily those of Joker and/or any of his affiliates.

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"To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead. "- Thomas Paine

Self-mutilation is a proven method of alterinf consciousness. Some people claim, including many Native American tribes, believe it leads to spiritual visions and enlightenment. It's not a method I would personally prescribe to, but hey, to each their own.

__________________
WARNING: In the unlikely event of an accidental agreement with any or all points made in the above post, contact a clinical psychologist immediately.

The views expressed in the above post are not necessarily those of Joker and/or any of his affiliates.

. "You have found the secret message. Do you have too much time on your hands? ...Let it go."