Greetings on Ashura!

Over the past year probably the most common Google searches that have brought visitors to this site has been on the theme of the Muslim celebration of Ashura. That was all in response to a single post last January: Remembering Ashura with Shia Muslims.

Yesterday again the searches  were high. So I should have realised it was that time of year again. Sadly I had in my mind it was in ten days time or so - forgetting as always the Muslim lunar calendar. Yesterday was the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the lunar calendar, and the Day of Ashura

So, with my apologies for being a day late, let me bring Greetings for this season to all Muslims who visit this site. You are very welcome to my virtual home, and it is my hope that you will find here honour and respect for your beliefs. (And please forgive any ignorance of your traditions you find and help me put it right with a comment at the bottom of a page.)

For my Christian friends, Ashura marks the martyrdom of Husein ibn Ali  was the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, and died the death of a martyr at the Battle of Karballa in 680.  Iman Husein is the first Shia Iman, and hence the festival is one that is especially important to Shia Muslims. The battle marked the clearest division of Shia and Sunni sects around the nature of continuing leadership and releigious authority in Islam.    

The day is a day of celebration and a holiday for many in Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Lebanon. However it can also be a day of tensions, especially in Iraq where Karbala is to be found just south of Baghdad.
Tight Security Across Iraq on a Holy Day for Shiites. 

I simply write to acknowledge this important day for some. I do not take sides in issues that are for Muslims to debate. I am especially reminded that this is a time when peace is commanded.  Muharram is a month when it is forbidden to fight.

Last year at a gathering of Christians and Mulims at this time we considered the teaching of Jesus and Iman Husein. And I leave us all with the reminder in this season of peace of Jesus honouring of the peacemaker: 

Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God!