Muslims observe Ashura with march

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This article was published 30/08/2020 (2053 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Around 200 people dressed in black marched to the Manitoba Legislative Building Saturday afternoon to commemorate Ashura, a holy day observed by Muslims.

Ashura marks the 10th day of the first month in the Islamic calendar, and holds different meanings for different groups — Sunni Muslims mark the day as when Moses and the Israelites were saved when God parted the sea. Shia Muslims mark it as a day of mourning for imam Husayn ibn Ali, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in the year 680.

The imam is seen as a martyr and a symbol of standing up against oppression, and those at Winnipeg’s procession sang songs commemorating his life and beating their chests — a common cultural practice.

Kaith Mohamed, a volunteer organizer, said the march was organized by different Muslim community leaders and while similar marches take place all over the world, this was the first of its kind in Winnipeg. He said the day is a reminder to all people to fight for their rights regardless of background.

“He showed us that is doesn’t matter if you’re a nobody, or if you have no supporters, what matters is that you stand up, that you uphold peace and you defend your human rights,” he said.

The march ended with a gathering and speeches at the legislature. Mohamed said he hopes those who were curious about the march come forward and ask questions.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re Muslim, atheist, Jewish, Christian, doesn’t matter,” he said. “This movement that we’re doing is for humanity, all of mankind.”

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: malakabas_