17:53, 1 October 2017

In Baku, 2500 people donate blood on occasion of Ashura (+video)

Women are wearing headbands with the name of Zeyneb, Imam Husayn's sister, whose death is honored by Shiite Muslims on Ashura Day. Baku, October 1, 2017. Photo by Aziz Karimov for "Caucasian Knot"

The Council of Kadis of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO) has urged believers to donate blood instead of self-torture on Ashura Day. In Baku, at least 2500 people responded to the call.

Ashura is the tenth day of the month of Muharram (the first month of the Muslim lunar calendar (Hijra)). It is the culmination of the mourning activities of Shiite Muslims, dedicated to the memory of Imam Husayn, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, killed on Muharram 10, 680. To commemorate the Imam Husayn's martyrdom, the Shiite communities hold the taziya ceremonies, in the course of which they commit self-torture.

Mubariz Gurbanly, the chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan, has reported that the blood donation campaign held in Azerbaijan for the first time is already being implemented in other Muslim countries.

In accordance with the tradition, on the Day of Ashura, Muslim Shiites gather for mourning events in mosques. People, mostly young people, beat themselves in the chests with their hands, symbolizing the willingness to give their lives for Islam. However, the tradition of self-torture with iron chains already fades away.

Baku and other cities of the country implemented enhanced security measures. In Lenkoran, the police detained journalist Islam Shikhali, who came to prepare a report on night vigil at the mosque on the eve of Ashura.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent