Muharram in Bahrain

Background: Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the four sacred months in Islam. For Shia Muslims, it holds significant religious importance due to the events of Karbala, where Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was martyred. Bahrain, with a substantial Shia Muslim population, observes this period with deep reverence.

History: The 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, is a day of mourning for the death of Hussain ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. This event is a defining moment in Islamic history that led to the split between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Traditions:

• Public Gatherings: People attend majalis (gatherings) where stories about Hussain ibn Ali's life and his martyrdom are recounted.
• Processions: Large processions take place on the streets where participants express grief and solidarity with chants and eulogies.
• Flagellation Rituals: Some participants engage in matam, which can involve chest-beating or flagellation as an act of mourning; however, this practice varies among communities and has been discouraged or minimized by some religious leaders.
• Black Clothing: It is common for individuals to wear black clothes as a sign of mourning throughout Muharram.
• Charity and Food: Free food (nazri) is distributed to people regardless of their religion or background, commemorating the principles of charity and hospitality upheld by Hussain ibn Ali.

Activities:

• Spiritual Reflection: Individuals spend time in prayer and reflection on the values exemplified by Hussain ibn Ali—justice, dignity, and sacrifice.
• Recitation: Recitation of poems (marsiyas) or lamentations that describe Karbala's events are common.

In Bahrain during Muharram, these observances not only mark a period of mourning but also serve as expressions of communal identity and solidarity.