Shiite Muslims Hold Anniversary of Ashura
Around the World
Dec. 26, 09 (Hamsayeh.Net) - Today, Shiite Muslims mourn the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the third Imam of Shiites, Hussein Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib (PBUH) around the world.
Imam Hussein's martyrdom occurred during the lunar month of Muharam on a day known in the Muslim world as Ashura. Imam Hussein is the third Imam of Shiites and the younger son of Ali Ibn Abi Talib. Imam Hussein is revered by Shiites as a martyr who fought tyranny established by the Ummayed Caliph, Yazid, in 7th century AD.
Ashura took place on the 10th of October 680 (Muharram 10, 61 AH), as Imam Hussein and 72 of his followers and family members, engaged in a battle against a large army of Yazid that numbered in tens of thousands and commanded by Umar Ibn Saad whose father was the founder of the city of Kufa in today's Iraq.
Imam Hussein and his army fought bravely but eventually all of were martyred in the plains of Karbala. On this occasion, Shiite Muslims from around the world hold gatherings to mourn and remember him on this day.
