27 December 2009 marked the 10th day of Muharram (the first month on the Islamic calendar) known as Ashura. The day marks the killing of Mohammed's grandson, Hussein at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Hussein is considered a martyr by Shia Muslims who mourn his death each year with a retelling of the battle. Today, some in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria take part in violent flagellation and bloodletting to mourn Hussein's death, but this practice has been banned in Iran and by Hizballah in Lebanon....
more »27 December 2009 marked the 10th day of Muharram (the first month on the Islamic calendar) known as Ashura. The day marks the killing of Mohammed's grandson, Hussein at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Hussein is considered a martyr by Shia Muslims who mourn his death each year with a retelling of the battle. Today, some in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria take part in violent flagellation and bloodletting to mourn Hussein's death, but this practice has been banned in Iran and by Hizballah in Lebanon. On Ashura in Lebanon, Hizballah supporters gathered at a mosque in the Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut to hear the story of the Battle of Karbala retold before a large march took place where mourners chanted as many beat their chests as a sign of devotion to Hussein. The march ended at a rally where Hizballah head Hassan Nasrallah addressed the crowd.
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