🏴 Husayni Mourning Around the World – 2026

🌐 Indonesia:

Ashura International Foundation / Husayni Mourning News:

For some Indonesians, the month of Muharram, or Shura, is considered a sacred month. The month of Shura is the first month in the Javanese calendar. This Javanese calendar is similar to the Islamic lunar calendar system, where the month of Shura coincides with Muharram in Islam. The month of Shura, according to some people, possesses special sanctity. For this reason, various prohibitions arise during this month, such as marriage, travel, and so on.

The name “Shura” is derived from the term “Ashura,” meaning the tenth day of Muharram. Various traditions and rituals are performed to welcome the month of Shura in several regions of Indonesia. These traditions have their own meanings, which are still preserved today. Some of the Shura traditions in several regions are as follows:

*Tabut (Coffin) Procession Tradition in Bengkulu City

The Tabut procession is an annual tradition in Bengkulu Province, held from the first to the tenth of Muharram. This tradition is performed as a tribute to Imam Husayn bin Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.), who was killed in the desert of Karbala in Iraq by the forces of Yazid bin Muawiyah.

Tabut is actually a wooden chest or box. The holding of the Tabut tradition involves a series of stages that depict parts of Islamic history and Imam Husayn’s struggle against oppression until his death. This tradition has become a symbol of resistance and movement.

*Tabut and Tabuik in Pariaman

The Tabut tradition is also held in Pariaman, located in West Sumatra, under the name Tabuik. Thousands of Muslims are involved in this tradition, which has become one of the annual tourist programs in West Sumatra. The Tabuik ritual includes stages such as taking the soil (turbah), cutting a stem from a tree, mourning rituals (ma’tam), holding a procession, moving the Tabuik, and throwing it into the sea. Each of these stages adds diversity to the tradition in Indonesia, and the Tabuik tradition in Pariaman is an important part of Indonesian traditions.

*Asan-Asin (Hasan-Husayn) Month Tradition in Aceh

The people of Aceh know the month of Muharram as the “Month of Fire” or the “Asan-Asin Month” (Hasan-Husayn month). On this day, there are taboos or prohibitions such as holding weddings, building houses, etc., which are part of the tradition in Indonesia. This month is commemorated in honor of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.). This month is also known as the month of Ashura, during which people typically eat starch porridge on Ashura—a tradition unique to Indonesia.

*Shura Porridge Tradition in Madura

In Madura, located in East Java, Indonesia, people prepare Shura porridge or watery rice porridge from the first day of this month. Shura watery rice porridge is made from rice and rice water and consists of two colors: red and white. This tradition is part of welcoming the month of Muharram in Indonesia. The color red symbolizes the blood shed by Imam Husayn (a.s.), and the color white symbolizes the purity of his struggle.

*Shura Tradition in the Klaten Region

The people of Klaten in Central Java, during Muharram—specifically on the seventh day of this month—hold the tradition of reviving the Shura night. During this Shura night revival, citizens do not sleep for 24 hours as a sign of concern and sorrow. This Shura tradition includes various spiritual and contemplative activities aimed at introspection and improving the quality of life. This activity enriches the tradition of welcoming Muharram in Indonesia with religious and cultural values more than ever.

Shura, in addition to being a time for reflection and introspection, is also an occasion for friendship and togetherness for the residents of the Klaten region.

*Offering of Soup Porridge and Pempek (Specialty Food of the Palembang Region)

On Ashura, the people of Palembang in South Sumatra hold ceremonies by inviting orphans to enjoy soup porridge and pempek at the Ki Gede Ing Suro Mosque. Dozens of orphans and hundreds of residents around the neighborhood mosque participate in this tenth of Muharram tradition.