Joined: 10/24/2010(UTC) Posts: 694 Location: Florida
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Today, 2010-12-07 is the first day of the 1,432nd year After the Hijrah. It is also the day that the followers of Ali (the Shia, or Shī‘ah) celebrate the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussain ibn Ali, The grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and a Shia Imam, was killed by the forces of the second Umayad caliph Yazid I. The event is marked by arranging 'majalis' (gatherings) to review Islamic teachings and to commemorate Imam Hussain's "sacrifice". The mourning reaches its climax on the tenth day, known as Ashura, on which the forces of Yazid killed the 72 individuals who fought, including Imam Hussain and his family and supporters. The women and children left living were made prisoners and transported to Yazid's court in Damascus. How the event is mourned differs between different branches of Shia and different ethnic groups. Oddly, the event is also observed by many Sunnis, but to a lesser extent, and as a time of remembrance, rather than mourning. (the Sunni's think the original event was a Good Thing<tm>) Many of the male and female participants congregate together in public for ceremonial chest beating (matam) as a display of their devotion to Imam Husayn and in remembrance of his suffering. In some Shi'a societies, such as those in Bahrain, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq, some male participants incorporate knives or razors swung upon chains into their matam. Good times! I cannot wait to see what these guys are planning for this year's "outreach program" for the non-believers!!! Happy 1432 to one and all! |
Nehemiah wrote:"We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water" Nehemiah 4:23b |
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Joined: 9/2/2010(UTC) Posts: 225 Location: USA
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Wow, so they beat themselves or each other with these chains? Funny stuff, Back in the old days when I use to smoke a little weed this would really be entertaining :-)
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Joined: 10/24/2010(UTC) Posts: 694 Location: Florida
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Royce wrote:Wow, so they beat themselves or each other with these chains? ...and cut themselves and their children with razors! A web search will reveal some really gruesome pictures. Yuk. |
Nehemiah wrote:"We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water" Nehemiah 4:23b |
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Joined: 9/2/2010(UTC) Posts: 225 Location: USA
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Daniel wrote:...and cut themselves and their children with razors! A web search will reveal some really gruesome pictures.
Yuk. WOW!
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Joined: 10/24/2010(UTC) Posts: 694 Location: Florida
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Nehemiah wrote:"We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water" Nehemiah 4:23b |
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