Tag: Tasu’a

Muharram in Iran The month of Muharram is important in the Hijri Calendar (Islamic calendar) and a significant one in the Iranian culture. This is a month full of key historical events, especially the 9th –Tasu’a- and the 10th –Ashura- are acknowledged yearly by many people in the world. These two days hold many memories for Iranians throughout their life. So, Muharram in Iran is annually commemorated by Iranians. As a constant for many years, they have developed a lot of traditions, customs, and ceremonies from it in various forms. History of Tasu’a and Ashura Imam Husain (the 3rd imam of Shia Muslims) was the second son of Imam Ali (the first imam of Shia Muslims) who due to the opposition to the Hasan–Muawiya treaty conflicted with Yazid (the son of Muawiya). During his travel to Kufa (a city near Mecca) he and most of his family died in battle due to him not pledging alliance to Yazid. Husain's suffering and death became a symbol of sacrifice in the struggle for right against wrong, and justice and truth against injustice and falsehood in Shi’a history, and as a result, the days of his and his family’s deaths are mourned every year by Shi’a’s around the world, especially in Iran. Muharram, Tasu’a and Ashura in Iran This is a time that most Tekyehs (sometimes they are called Heiats, Hosseiniye, Zeinabiye, etc.) start working in Iran, these are places for people of religion to gather in, socialize, mourn or celebrate events and do charity work for the local community. They are managed privately by the people and every neighborhood has one for itself (except some big ones in large cities like Tehran that have branches throughout the city), they are busy with the preparation the days before the start of the month.