What is Ashura for Shia?
The day of Ashura is an important occasion in the Islamic calendar that carries a spiritual and historical significance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. For Shia Muslims, it marks the anniversary of the killing of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hussein during the Battle of Karbala, and is therefore a day of mourning.
How many Shias are killed in Pakistan?
As many as 4,000 people are estimated to have been killed by Shia-Sunni sectarian attacks in Pakistan between 1987–2007. And since 2008, thousands of Shia have been killed by Sunni extremists according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
What is the percentage of Shia in Pakistan?
10-15%
Islam is the state religion of Pakistan, and about 95-98% of Pakistanis are Muslim. Pakistan has the second largest number of Muslims in the world after Indonesia. The majority are Sunni (estimated at 85-90%), with an estimated 10-15% Shia.
Why is 10th Muharram important?
10 Muharram: Referred to as the Day of Ashurah (lit. “the Tenth”), the day on which Husayn ibn Ali was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. Shia Muslims spend the day in mourning, while Sunni Muslims fast on this day, commemorating the rescue of the Israelites by Musa (Moses) from Pharaoh.
Why do Sunnis fast Ashura?
Wanting his followers to show the same gratitude to Allah, Prophet Muhammad decided to observe a two-day fast, one on the day of Ashura and the day prior that is the 9th and 10th days of Muharram. These are the traditional customs of Sunni Muslims.
How did Shia come to India?
Shia Islam was brought to the Indian subcontinent during the final years of the Rashidun Caliphate. The Indian subcontinent also served as a refuge for some Shias escaping persecution from Umayyads, Abbasids, Ayyubis and Ottomans. However, the earliest major political influence was that of the Shia dynasties in Deccan.
Which country has the most Shia population?
Of the total Muslim population, 87–90% are Sunni and 10–13% are Shi’a. Most Shi’as (between 68% and 80%) live in mainly four countries: Iran, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and Iraq.
What is Ashura and how do Shia and Sunni Muslims observe it?
What is Ashura and how do Shia and Sunni Muslims observe it? The day of Ashura is an important occasion in the Islamic calendar that carries a spiritual and historical significance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. For the Sunni majority, the day is marked with fasting and special prayers in mosques.
What is Ashura and when is it?
Ashura is marked on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, widely considered to be one of the holiest months in Islam. Ashura falls on either 17 and 18 August in the Gregorian calendar, depending on the method of moon sighting used to determine the start of Muharram.
Why don’t Shia Muslims donate blood on Ashura?
On Ashura, very few Shia Muslims observe mourning with a blood donation, which is called “Qame Zani”, and flailing. This mourning is considered to be a way for most Shia Muslims and most of them are against this kind of mourning.
What is the difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims?
Some Shia Muslims believe that taking part in Ashura washes away their sins. A popular Shia saying has it that “a single tear shed for Husayn washes away a hundred sins”. For Shia Muslims, the commemoration of Ashura is not a festival but rather a sad event, while Sunni Muslims view it as a victory God gave to Moses.