Similar to how Christianity is split into many sects, such as Protestant and Roman Catholic, Islam is also split into divisions. The three main sects of Islam are Sunni, Shia and Khawarij. Whilst Sunnis believe that the Caliphate (religious succession) after the death of the Prophet belonged to Abu Bakr, a well-renowned companion and close friend of the Prophet, Shias disagree and believe that the Caliphate rightfully belonged to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law and cousin of the Prophet.
Shortly after the murder of the second Imam, Hasan ibn Ali, tensions arose over who would carry on the succession and Caliphate. Hasan’s supporters in Kufa pledged allegiance to him, so when the succession was wrongly passed on to the tyrant Yazid I, the people of Kufa were outraged and wrote letters to the rightful successor, Imam Husayn ibn Ali. He refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid. Living under the oppressive rule of Yazid, the people of Kufa promised their allegiance to Imam Husayn, leading him to travel there along with all his family, his soldiers and their children, but were stopped by Yazid’s forces in Karbala. Imam Husayn and his family were brutally slaughtered by the strong forces of Yazid, the women all humiliated by having their Hijabs ripped of their heads. Every year, Shia Muslims come together during the month of Muharram and commemorate and remember the deaths and murders of the Ahl-Al-Bayt (The Family of the House).
Shias are often seen as heretics and extremists in regards to their processions, which are carried out on Ashura day and in the holy month of Muharram, when they mourn the horrific and tragic deaths of Imam Husayn and his family. One of the processions carried out is called Matam, the Arabic word used when referring to an act or gesture of mourning. On the 10th of Muharram, Shias all over the world practice Matam, often beating their chests, but in some cases, they may use knives and swords (tatbir). Whilst this does certainly cause an uproar in the Muslim community, the Shia still relentlessly practice it.
Some people may disagree, calling this procession an act of self-harm, done out of stupidity or spite, but the reality is that the Shia practice Matam merely to show their love and devotion to the Ahl-Al-Bayt. It is only a gesture of mourning, to feel the pain Imam Husayn felt, to mourn the tragic murders and oppression. However, more often than not, Shia Muslims are attacked by self-proclaimed Islamist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda for practicing their religion.
Recent attacks include the bombing of a Shia centre in Kabul, a drive-by shooting at Hazara Shia Muslims in Quetta and the murder of a Shia man in broad daylight. Saddam Hussain, one of history’s most oppressive dictators, also attacked Shia Muslims. The Shia are one of the most oppressed groups of people in all of history, especially the Hazara Shias. What is more sickening is the fact that this ongoing genocide is being completely ignored.
Ever since the time of Imam Husayn, the Shia have been oppressed and persecuted, merely for mourning the murders of the Prophet’s family. Mainstream medias choice to ignore events like this genocide, further proving how we, as a society, often turn a blind eye to such tragedies. We are dealing with modern-day Yazids, yet no one cares. We need to step up, open our eyes and see the reality of situations that people go through every day, instead of being blinded by our own selfish needs. Let’s start by being more sympathetic towards the plight of minorities.
Photo Credit: Valerian Guillot
