Islamabad, 9 August 2022 (TDI): On the occasion of ‘Youm-e Ashura,’ Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine, who are facing tyrannical occupation, repression, and denial, as per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Pakistan observes Youm-e Ashura nationwide to pay tribute to the immense sacrifice of Imam Hussain at Karbala.

Youm-e-Ashura is annually observed on the 10th Muharram with reverence and religious solemnity in the country.  Today, mourners took out Alam, Zuljinah, and Tazia processions in all the state’s major cities.

Many areas throughout the country banned cellular services, and strict security measures were taken for safe processions.

Youm-e Ashura

The first month of the Islamic calendar is Muharram. The 10th day of the month of Muharram is declared Youm-e Ashura. For various reasons, the Sunni and Shia Muslim sects value the month of Muharram and the day of Ashura.

Sunnis believe that when God split the Red Sea to aid Prophet Musa and his followers in fleeing the Egyptian Pharaoh. Additionally, it is stated that Prophet Musa fasted on this day to express his gratitude to God. In Muharram, Sunni Muslims typically observe a two-day fast to commemorate Musa’s victory.

The month of Muharram is a time of mourning and remembering for Shias, as the Battle of Karbala took place on the 10th of Muharram.

Battle of Karbala

The battle of Karbala was a brief military engagement in which a small party led by Hussain ibn Ali fought against an army sent by the Umayyad caliph Yazid. It helped secure the position of the Umayyad dynasty but martyred Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad PBUH.

This day has since become a national day of mourning for Shia Muslims in remembrance of Hussain’s martyrdom.

On Youm-e Ashura, Shia Muslims offer sermons while narrating Husain’s life and the events surrounding the Karbala sacrifice.

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