Mourning of a tragic episode in Islamic history was marked in Mombasa by Khoja Shia Muslim community in remembrance of the Battle of Karbala where the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussein was martyred.
Over the years, the day has also come to symbolize unity among Shiite and Sunni Muslims.
Air of mourning was ubiquitous with streets adorned with black flags. Dressed in black and red with sayings to commemorate the death of Hussein, to mark the 1,380th anniversary of their mourning.
The word “ashura” means “10,” referring to the date of the holiday in the Islamic calendar, in the month of Muharram. For Shiite Muslims, Ashura Day is a major occasion, commemorating the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein ibn Ali, and all his companions in Karbala, located in modern-day Iraq.
The Battle of Karbala occurred in A.D. 680 and is regarded as major strife between the Muslim faithful. Hussein and his companions were slaughtered in the battle after they refused to pay allegiance to Yazid, the Umayyad caliph of the time after negotiations between the two sides failed. It was a seminal incident that is viewed as paving the way for the separation of the Muslim faith between Shiites and Sunnis.
Speaking during the procession Sheikh Sajaad Waljih, chairman of the Khoja Ithnan-Asheri Jamaat Federation of Africa urged Kenyans to unite and continue living in peace and harmony despite ethnic and religious faith.
Sheikh Sajaad, said their procession marked the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
His sentiments were echoed by Ali Bahero, a renowned Islamic scholar and religious teacher.
“We held the procession to signify our faith and love to the grandson of prophet Mohamed as directed to the Muslims by the prophet,” he said.
“The commemoration of this event also teaches us how to live together and love one another regardless of our religion and social status,” stressed Ali Bahero.
In Iraq about 21 million Shia pilgrims from around the world gathered in the city of Karbala for the commemoration.