Muharram in Sudan ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of Muharram in Sudan and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of Muharram in Sudan and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months in which warfare is forbidden. Muharram is a time of remembrance and mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Hussain and his small band of followers were killed at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. The event is commemorated through public processions and rituals, including self-flagellation and weeping, throughout the Muslim world.
In Sudan, Muharram is marked by large public processions known as ziyarah. These processionals wind their way through the streets, stopping at key points to recite prayers and recount the events of the battle of Karbala. Many participants wear black and beat their chests or strike themselves with chains in a show of remorse and grief. Others wave banners and chanting slogans commemorating Hussain and his sacrifice.
The ziyarah culminates at the tomb of Imam Hussain in Karbala, Iraq. Here, pilgrims perform more rituals of mourning, including throwing stones at a pillar that symbolizes the enemy leader at the Battle of Karbala. For many Sudanese Muslims, the ziyarah is an important part of their faith and a way to connect with the suffering of Imam Hussain and his followers.