Muharram in Lebanon

Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, holds significant religious importance for Muslims worldwide, and Lebanon is no exception. It is notably marked by the event of Ashura on the 10th day of Muharram.

History and Traditions:

• Ashura: This day commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. It is a central observance for Shia Muslims.
• Mourning: Throughout Muharram, especially on Ashura, many Shia Muslims in Lebanon engage in mourning practices. This includes wearing black as a sign of grief.
• Majalis: Religious gatherings known as 'majalis' where clerics narrate the story of Karbala are commonplace. These gatherings are often held in mosques and husseiniyas (Shia community centers).
• Processions: Public processions are another hallmark wherein participants chant and some perform matam (self-flagellation) as a form of mourning—though this practice varies and is discouraged by some religious leaders.
• Plays and Recitations: Passion plays known as 'Ta'zieh' that depict the events of Karbala are performed, and poetry recitations eulogizing Husayn's sacrifice are common.

What People Do:

• Charity: Acts of charity increase during this month with people distributing food to the poor and providing free meals known as 'Tabarruk'.
• Reflection: For many Lebanese Muslims, Muharram is a period of reflection on moral values and spiritual life.
• Interfaith Respect: In Lebanon's diverse religious landscape, respect for each other's traditions is evident. While predominantly observed by Shias, Sunnis also acknowledge the sanctity of Ashura with fasting since it also marks historical events significant to Islam.

The observance of Muharram reflects both communal solidarity over shared historical grief and personal contemplation within Lebanon's multifaceted religious society.