As the Muslim month of Muharram begins, Iranians are commemorating the martyrdom of Al-Hussein, writes Amani Maged Funeral pavilions are everywhere, together with non- stop weeping, poetry, processions and people slapping their faces. Others rip their clothes or cut themselves and bleed. This is an official holiday, and it has its own special food and customs marking the festival of Ashura. Such scenes have been repeated for more than 1,300 years, and many must have wondered over the reason behind the grief of thousands of people over a man killed almost 1,371 years ago, or almost 14 centuries. Why set up funeral pavilions from the beginning of the Muslim month of Muharram? How can people slap themselves across the face, rip their clothes and slash themselves until they bleed? While it could be difficult definitively to answer such questions, the festival itself marks the killing of Al-Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohamed, who was killed in 61 Hijra, and the mourners are Shia Muslims. For Shias, Al-Hussein is a hero who left Medina with a small party from his household and went to Iraq to take part in the Battle of Karbala, also commemorated by millions of Shias every year. During the celebrations last year, there was unrest in a number of Iranian cities, with mourners confronting the police and mourners. However, these later mourners were also lamenting the crisis caused by the Iranian presidential elections: it would have been difficult to ban the Ashura processions, even if these were almost certain to turn into demonstrations against the regime. The question is whether similar events will repeat themselves this year. Many observers believe that the violent confrontations that took place last year in Iran are unlikely to be repeated this year, despite the crises and economic pressures that have affected the country, including UN and other economic sanctions, rising unemployment, and political tensions. However, others believe that there may be symbolic protests that may take place today or over the next few days. The hussainis, or congregation halls to remember Al-Hussein, are packed with mourners, shedding tears over his death 14 centuries ago, as well as, perhaps, a loved one lost last year during the disturbances. Iranian cities are packed with people and special committees have been set up to receive condolences and organise events. People give donations to these committees, which fund activities. Processions begin on the morning of Ashura and end at noon, when people gather and hand out food. This is followed by prayers, rest and then more processions until midnight. Meetings, storytelling and mourning ceremonies continue for 40 days. The Iranian public and political circles are preparing for the celebration today by decorating the streets of Iranian cities with images related to Ashura and Karbala. The country's media is competing to cover the celebrations, airing programmes on the subject to relate the event to viewers and teach the younger generations. One correspondent attending the Ashura celebrations said that a storyteller would start by reciting the story of Al-Hussein, weaving the threads of the tale as the audience responds to the oration. As the storyteller reaches the climax of the story, tears begin to fall. Both men and women mourn the death of the martyr, dressing in black to mark the occasion. If the rituals in Iran and other Shia countries seem unusual, the way Sunni Muslims mark the occasion also has its particularities. Sunni Muslims believe that Ashura is the day on which God rescued Moses and his people from Pharaoh, and some Sunni references state that the Prophet Mohamed fasted on that day when he was told that the Jews in Medina had fasted to mark the occasion. "I am closer to Moses than they are," the Prophet reportedly said. Hence, in Sunni tradition, such as is observed in Egypt, the anniversary is observed by fasting on 9 and 10 Muharram and preparing special deserts and rich foods. Shias, on the other hand, see Ashura as marking a revolt against an oppressor and the day on which blood is the victor over the sword. Al-Hussein was martyred when he refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid bin Muawya, who had made claims to lead the Muslim community. Al-Hussein had been going with his family to Kufa when he received a message that the people of Kufa wanted him as Caliph and would support his claim. Shiites believe that Yazid's army then intercepted Al-Hussein and forced him into battle. Ashura and the Battle of Karbala are of greater interest in Iran than in any other country. Since the foundation of the Safavid Dynasty centuries ago, Shia Islam has been the state religion, and therefore Ashura and Karbala are celebrated as historical events, their associated rituals being essential parts of Iranian identity. The Safavids introduced new features into the celebrations, such as funeral anthems and poetry, and people began thrashing themselves with metal rods and lacerating themselves with knives in expressions of grief at the death of Al-Hussein and his companions. These rituals were continued until the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when the anniversary became an organised event overseen by revolutionary institutions that altered or banned certain practices, such as self- stabbing, though these sometimes continue up until today. It is expected that this year's 40-day celebration will give the Iranian people some respite from their current concerns, allowing public and private sorrows to be cleansed in funeral pavilions for Al-Hussein. Tehran will then continue work to prove its right to a nuclear programme. It may even begin preparations for the 2022 World Cup, scheduled for Qatar, since Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already pledged his expertise to Qatar in the build- up to the event.
