‘Hosseini infants’ ceremony observed in Iran

Iranians in several parts across the country have observed the ‘Hosseini infants’ mourning ceremony.

Mothers, holding their babies, gathered to observe the ‘Hosseini infants’ ceremony on the first Friday of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar, which falls on July 21 this year.

The ceremony is held in commemoration of Ali Asghar (AS), the six-month-old baby boy of Imam Hussein (AS), who was among those martyred in the Battle of Karbala about 14 centuries ago.

Babies participating in the mourning ritual are dressed in special green and white clothes, which are said to resemble the clothing of Ali Asghar (AS), and wear a headband with the name of the youngest martyr in the Battle of Karbala written on it.

Imam Hussein (AS) was martyred along with 72 of his companions in the Battle of Karbala, in southern Iraq, on the tenth day of Muharram some 14 centuries ago after fighting courageously for justice against thousands of soldiers of the Umayyad caliph, Yazid I.

Each year, Shia Muslims commemorate Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), dressed in black and taking part in mourning rituals.

Ashura is the climax of 10-day mourning ceremonies that are observed in Muharram. The ceremonies symbolize the humanity’s struggle against tyranny and oppression.

SQ/FM