Shifting focus of Muharram Ashura

Madin Academy takes lead in bringing about a change in people’s perspective

Madin Academy Chairman Sayed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari addressing an Ashura gathering at Madin Grand Mosque at Malappuram on Thursday.

The Madin Academy here has been striving hard to bring about a change in the people’s perspective to Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram solemnly observed by Muslims across the world.

For the past several years, the Madin Academy, led by Syed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari, has been organising programmes with the objective of sharpening focus on the blessings of God, rather than commemorating a tragedy that took place 1,338 years ago.

Although Shiites are a minuscule group among Muslims in this part of the country, Ashura or Muharram 10 used to be widely observed commemorating the tragic battle of Karbala held in Iraq in AD 680, in which Prophet Mohammed’s grandson Husain bin Ali, his family and followers were brutally massacred. When the world continued to view Muharram 10 as a commemoration of a tragic event in history, as being observed fervently by the Shiites, Sunni sections led by Mr. Bukhari were planning programmes in such a way as to shift the focus of Ashura from tragedy to God’s blessing.

“True that tragedy occurred on Muharram 10. Let’s remember it as a painful day in history. But more than that, we have many reasons to celebrate Muharram 10. It was on this day that Allah saved Moses and Israelites from Pharaoh. Allah has showered humanity with many blessings on Muharram 10,” said Mr. Bukhari.

Madin officials said that day-long programmes were being held to send home the message that observing a tragic event by recreating the tragedy and mourning by taking out dolorous processions would do no good for humanity. “By observing a fast in gratitude to Allah’s blessings, we show that we are grateful to God,” they said.

They said that Muharram should be observed for their blessings and solemnity, and not for a black day. “It is one of the holiest months,” they said.

Even when agreeing on the significance of the month of Muharram and its 10th day, Mujahid and Jamat sections criticised the Sunnis for considering the initial days of the month as a time of nahs or jinx. “If the month is so blessed, what makes them stay away from doing auspicious things like weddings and inaugurals” they asked.