🏴 Husayni Mourning Around the World

🌐 Bangladesh:

Ashura International Foundation / Husayni Mourning News – September 9, 2019:

The Muharram ceremonies, especially the first ten days of this month dedicated to Shiite mourning for Imam Husayn (a.s.), are held in each region according to the traditions and customs of the people of that area, and for this reason, they possess considerable diversity. A diversity so vast that the dozens, even hundreds, of documentary films made on the subject have not been able to fully capture the essence of the Ashura and Arba’een mourning ceremonies.

In fact, the fact that various Muslim and non-Muslim communities around the world hold Ashura ceremonies in their own manner has made it impossible to identify a single root for these ceremonies, and cultural experts believe that the mourning ceremonies for Imam Husayn (a.s.) in different parts of the world are rooted in the culture of each region. For example, in Arab countries where these ceremonies have a more devotional character, they are not so much considered mourning for the martyrdom of the Master and Lord of the Martyrs. Rather, in Arab countries, it is customary during Muharram for both Shiites and Sunnis to go to mosques on Tasu’a and Ashura and hold congregational prayers.

In some Arab countries as well, on Tasu’a and Ashura, many Muslims fast and distribute votive offerings (Nazr). This is while in Arab countries, the majority are Sunni. For this reason, cultural experts believe that one cannot determine a precise root and origin for Sunni mourning for the Shiite Imam. Some also believe that the adaptation of this event to a local culture, myth, or specific ritual may be the main reason for Sunni mourning for the Shiite Imam, or the coexistence and proximity of Sunnis with the Shiite community…

Sunni Mourners in Bangladesh Commemorating the Martyrs of Karbala

In Bangladesh, where in many areas not even a single Shiite family lives, Ashura is a public holiday. The President and Prime Minister of the country issue condolence messages on Ashura, and radio and television broadcast special mourning programs. The people, even those who are not Shiites, fast on this day and refrain from eating any kind of food or performing any act that indicates happiness or joy.

Although the most magnificent mourning ceremonies for the Master and Lord of the Martyrs are held in Iran, in addition to Iran and, of course, the Arab world, mourning ceremonies on Ashura are also held in regions such as North Africa, the Caucasus, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Indonesia, Turkey, and even China and Myanmar—ceremonies specific to each country, not observed elsewhere in the world.