Thousands of Shias in provinces including Istanbul, Igdir and Kars on Saturday, the 10th day of Muharram, mourned the murder of Hussain (pbuh), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the son of Imam Ali (pbut), and 72 of his companions in 680 in Karbala, part of modern-day Iraq.
Ceremonies in Istanbul took place in the Halkali district’s Zeynebiye neighborhood. Arriving in Asure Square, thousands of people in black garb mourned the tragedy, which took place 1,370 years ago. The ceremony started with a Holy Quran recitation. While a play written and directed by Zeynebiye Youth Theater general art producer Kasim Alcan, titled “Zeyneb Is The Name of a Free And Honored Stand,” was in progress during the ceremony, many participants broke into tears. Shias donated blood as a sign of solidarity with the people who martyred in Karbala.
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, former Culture Minister Namik Kemal Zeybek, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas, Sisli Mayor Mustafa Sarigül, prominent historian Ilber Ortayli Istanbul Mufti Mustafa Çagirici, Küçükçekmece Mayor Aziz Yeniay and umerous political party representatives attended the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, the leader of Turkey’s Shias Selahattin Özgündüz, reminded he audience of the Armenian, Kurdish, Alevi and Roma initiatives and asked if there would be Shia initiative.” Özgündüz also said today is a day that unites people. Then he went on to escribe how evil forces killed Hussain and his companions while a teary-eyed audience raptly listened to him.
Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Directorate head Ali Bardakoglu said we mourn all our artyrs, particularly the Karbala martyrs, in his Karbala message on Saturday. In his statement, Bardakoglu said Muslims should learn lessons from such tragic events and avoid any ehavior that could damage the unity of Muslims. Bardakoglu stated that he wants people to live in peace and
wants people to have serenity, trust, mutual love and respect for one another.
In addition, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan released a “Muharram 10” letter on Saturday to share in the sorrow of Muslims. Erdogan said the message for today from Karbala, which represents sacrifice, justice and nobility against tyranny, despotism and betrayal, is that we should be united and try to have confidence, fidelity and understanding in one another. “The 10th day of Muharram has always been a reference for every conscience that has prevailed in protecting justice and truth,” Erdogan said.
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