Millions in Turkey to mark Ashura

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

This file photo shows the Ashura Day commemorations last year. Hürriyet photo

Shiites and Alevis will mark Ashura Day on Nov. 24, the 10th day of the Muharrem month in the Islamic calendar.

Turkey’s Shiite Muslim community, the Caferis, will gather in Istanbul’s Halkalı district to commemorate Ashura Day and the Karbala incident that took place more than 1,000 years ago.

Ashura is the 10th day of the lunar month of Muharram, when Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was

killed in battle in A.D. 680 alongside 72 others. The battle is named after Karbala – in present-day Iraq – the city where the incident took place.

In the eastern province of Kars, populated by many of the members of Turkey’s Shiite community, the flag of Imam Hussein’s tomb is to be exhibited in the Ashura tent being built in front of the governor’s office.

During the commemoration ceremonies in Istanbul, Caferis will also donate blood to the Red Crescent in order to feel the sorrow of the bloodshed during the battle of Karbala.