(WASHINGTON DC - December 29, 2008) The Islamic Information Center would like to commemorate the beginning of the Islamic month of mourning known as Muharram, with today being the first day of his Holy month. During Muharram hundreds of millions of Muslims mourn the tragedy that befell the family of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Husain (May God Bless Them All) on the field of Karbala nearly 1,400 years ago. Karbala is located in modern day Iraq.
The mosque where Imam Husain is buried, in modern day Karbala, Iraq.
Historical records indicate that forces of the ruling monarchy surrounded the camp of Imam Husain. Eventually they cut of the entire food and water supply to this encampment, which included dozens of women and children, including infants.
On the day of Ashura, which is the Arabic word for the tenth, Muslims remember and mourn the tragic deaths of Imam Husain and the many that lost their lives at the hands of the ruthless despot, Yazid, and his army. Among the dead was Imam Husain's infant son, who was killed when his father tried to secure water for him.
This event is considered especially tragic, because Imam Husain and his family members, were mercilessly slaughtered and the survivors imprisoned in the name of "Islam", despite the fact that they were espousing the true and peaceful belief system as taught by their grandfather, the Prophet of Islam himself.
To learn more about Imam Husain, please take a moment to download and read the Imam Husain Information Packet, developed by the Islamic Information Center to teach and educate the American public about this important individual in Islamic history.
