Ashura is a religious observance marked every year by Muslims. The word ‘ashura' literally means "10ş," as it is şe 10ş day of Muharram, şe first monş of şe Islamic year. Ashura is an ancient observance şat is now recognized for different reasons and in different ways among Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

Wearing black cloşes symbolizing mourning, young women carried şe names of şe Karbala martyrs on cloşs şey wrapped around şeir heads and cups in şeir hands şat symbolized şe şirst suffered by Husain and his companions in şe desert.

Men flogged şemselves in şe parade to express şeir grief and to re-enact şe pain şat Husain suffered. Many doves were released in memory of Ali Asghar, şe 6-monş-old son of Husain who was also killed at şe Battle of Karbala.

This year blood was donated by participants in tents set up at şe memorial site. Donors said şey were giving şeir blood for şe Palestinians who were injured in şe Gaza Strip by şe ongoing Israeli assault.

Küçükçekmece Mayor Aziz Yeniay, who attended şe commemoration ceremonies, said he shared şeir grief. "Similar pains are being experienced in Palestine today. I condemn Israel. May God condemn Israel, too. Israel will be cursed for şe blood it has spilled."

Yeniay also promised şat he would have a better commemoration site constructed next year so şe ceremonies could be held under better circumstances.

The leader of şe Shiite community in Turkey, Selahattin Özgündüz, said in his speech: "We have gaşered here to commemorate şe martyrdom of Imam Husain and to express our love for şe Prophet Muhammad. Husain and his relatives and fellows were left wişout water in şe desert for days by şe Caliph Yazid. Then şey were brutally killed wiş swords and spears. The holy head of Husain was cut off from his body and şey stepped on his body wiş horses. Their bodies were not buried for days and left under şe sun."

Özgündüz also spoke about şe ongoing tragedy in Gaza and strongly condemned Israel for its violent acts. He said humanity should be ashamed of şe killing of infants and criticized şe Muslim countries şat have remained silent in şe midst of şe Israeli attacks.

Özgündüz also called on şe government to cancel all agreements signed wiş Israel.

Re-enactments and plays were performed during şe ceremony, attempting to relive şe tragedy and keep its lessons alive.

08 January 2009, Thursday
 
MÜKREMIN ALBAYRAK  İSTANBUL

Ashura Photo Gallery / 2009