Moharrum is the first month of
Islamic calender. It is very sacred and important month of the Muslims. It
reminds us the great martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain the grandson of Holy
Prophet (P.B.U.H) at Karbla .
The whole story behind this martyrdom is that Yazid the caliph of Damascus was
an ambitious man and he didn't like to see the direct descendants of the Holy
Prophet claiming any rival position like to him lie troubled Imam Hussain in
many ways till a war broke out which lasted a long time. Eventually Imam Hussain
died in the field of Karbla. He was kept without food and drink for several days
and this makes the tragedy he died hungry and thirsty. As Hazrat Imam martyr at
the 10th of moharrum so the festival of moharrum lasts from ten days in which
the death of imam the hero is mourned by pious muslims.
The sing funeral songs, elegies, lamenting the death of Hussain and spend their
time in weeping and wailing. Alms are distributed among the poor and cold
sweetened drinks are especially supplied to the thirsty. Big processions of
Taziahs are held on the 10th day. Taziahs are huge bamboo structures covered
with colored papers of various designs and carried in solemn procession through
the town, buried outside where a big metal is held. Taziahs are sometimes made
of wood and ivory also and are very costly. They represent the tomb of Imam
Hussain at Karbla. The procession is composed of mourners, who remembering the
martyrdom of the Holy hero, are filled with great spiritual anguish. They revere
the the Taziahs or Taboots. The worshipers follow or precede these Taziahs
repeating in a very excited manner the name of "Hussain (A.S)" on the night of
10th moharrum "Sham-e-Khareban" is held.
But there is also another side of the picture and that is breakout of riots,
These riots are result of religious fanaticism. Through the mourning in honor of
Imam Hussain is observed by all sections of muslims yet the taziahs are the
symbols of worship only among the shias and sunnis, and Ahl-i-Hadith-Shias
riots, also occur in some places on those occasions. People should should learn
religious toleration and help one another in observing all religious ceremonies.
Mutual concord and sympathy are very necessary for our national well beings. So
we should co-operate with each other on various religious ceremonies.