Millions of Shia Muslims in Iran and around the world are mourning in commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam, PressTV reported.
Millions of black clad mourners in Iran and many Muslim countries are holding mourning ceremonies to pay homage to the martyrdom of Imam Hossein (PBUH), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and 72 of his companions and family members in Karbala, Iraq, over 1,300 years ago while fighting for justice.
Muslims in Iran are commemorating the occasion during the days leading up to Ashura, the tenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar year Muharram. Ashura falls on December 16 this year.
Many devout Muslims across the world are also holding ceremonies to mourn the event which is one of the most important occasions on the Shia calendar.
Hussein ibn Ali (PBUH) was born in Medina in 626 CE and was martyred in 680 CE during the battle of Karbala. He was the son of Ali-ibn Abutalib (PBUH), the first Imam of the Shia.
Various prominent intellectual figures have studied the third Imam of the Shias. Mahatma Gandhi, for one, is reported to have said, "I have learned from Hussein how to be oppressed yet victorious."
Ghandi said he felt he brought nothing new to the Indian nation; only his understanding of the wisdom of the hero of Karbala.
Ashura ceremonies symbolize eternal and unwavering stance of truth against falsehood and humanity's struggle against tyranny realized by Imam Hussein (PBUH.)
Iranian mourners usually congregate at mosques for sorrowful, poetic recitations of the tragic event or Ta'zieh performed in memory of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH.)
Ta'zieh means depicting the agonizing martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his companions or one of the incidents related to the Karbala tragedy.
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