Today is #Ashura, an important day for Muslims. For Shi'a Muslims, this day marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, at the battle of Karbala. Imam Hussein was killed for standing up for his beliefs & chose to die rather than obey the caliph Yazid. 🧵 
Ashura is a time of mourning for Shi'a Muslims and it is commemorated by Azdari (mourning) rituals. Five types of major rituals have developed: memorial services, pilgrimage to Hussein's tomb, public mourning processions, plays reenacting the battle, & flagellation.
This video depicts a public mourning procession in Iran in 2015 commemorating Imam Hussein. It features a religious song with translated English subtitles.
A type of traditional Persian passion play developed about the battle of Karbala. Ta'zieh, described as "a collective lament," reenacts the battle, and is a way to mourn and commemorate Imam Husain. You can watch a video about Ta'zieh here:
Ashura has also taken on a political aspect for Shi'a Muslims, who have at times protested their own conditions through the occasion, such as during the Islamic Revolution of Iran and the Lebanese resistance to Israeli military presence.
The Battle of Karbala has been related to the condition of Muslims in the world as a whole with reference to Imam Hussein's quote on the day of Ashura "Every day is Ashura, every land is Karbala." Imam Hussein's martyrdom has served as inspiration to many.
For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is also an important day & commemorates the day the Prophet Musa (Moses) was saved by God through the parting of the Red Sea. Although many Westerners associate Moses more with Christianity & Judaism, the Prophet Musa is extremely important in Islam.
While Hussein is also revered among Sunnis, Sunni Muslims typically do not mourn as Shi'a Muslims do. In Shi'ism, Hussein is considered an Imam, rightful leader of the Muslim community. Sunnism does not share this belief as Sunnis believe the caliphs were the rightful leaders.
Sunni Muslims mark Ashura through special prayers and (recommended, but not obligatory) fasting on the day of and before Ashura. The Prophet Mohammed encouraged this, and Sunnis who do fast believe that it will result in the forgiveness of their sins from the previous year.
While the history of Ashura & the battle of Karbala & its implications on current religious practice & socio-political action is complex & more then I can go over in a short Twitter thread, I hope that I helped illuminate the importance of this day to Muslims around the world.
@threadreaderapp pls unroll
It appears the I have linked the wrong video for this tweet, unfortunately. Here is the actual video I reference about Ta'zieh
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