Latest news with #Ashura
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Lodhran tightens security for Muharram
Multan Division Commissioner Aamir Khareem Khan and Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Sohail Chaudhry visited Lodhran on Thursday to review security and administrative arrangements for Muharram. The visit was part of a broader directive issued by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, requiring divisional officials to oversee preparations across all districts in the region. The senior officials conducted a comprehensive inspection of key Muharram procession routes, including a visit to the shrine of Baba Rafiq Shah Bukhari located in the city's central bazaar - an important endpoint for one of the main Ashura processions. Deputy Commissioner Dr Lubna Nazeer briefed the commissioner and RPO on the measures being undertaken to ensure safety, security, and administrative efficiency during the holy month. Commissioner Aamir Khareem Khan stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by all departments to maintain peace and order during the sensitive days of Muharram. While interacting with organisers of processions, majlis representatives, and caretakers of Imambargahs, he urged the community to uphold religious tolerance, unity, and harmony. "Islam teaches us peace, forgiveness, and mutual respect. These principles must guide our conduct throughout Ashura," he stated.
Shafaq News
15 hours ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Muharram surge turns Karbala into economic engine
Shafaq News - Karbala With the arrival of Muharram, local businesses in Karbala are witnessing a sharp increase in activity as pilgrims flock to the city for religious commemorations, creating a surge in demand for food, services, and temporary labor. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and holds special significance for Shiite Muslims, who mark it with mourning rituals, especially on the 10th day known as Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. The season culminates in Arbaeen, a major pilgrimage observed 40 days after Ashura. Millions of Shiite Muslims from Iraq and abroad travel—many of them on foot—to Karbala to honor Imam Hussein's sacrifice. Abu Ali, a 52-year-old grocery store owner in the old city, noted that sales have multiplied during the first days of Muharram. "This month is unlike any other. The demand increases three to four times as processions require constant supplies, and families buy more than usual to host pilgrims," he told Shafaq News. Many workers travel from other provinces to find temporary work in Karbala. Hussein, 33, from Al-Muthanna's capital, Al-Samawah, sets up a small stand every year to sell black garments near one of the major processions. "There are no jobs in my city. Every Muharram and Safar, I come here to work.' Hussein shares a rented room with other seasonal workers and sells items like black shirts, pants, and scarves from early morning until midnight. "I support a family of five. Even if it's a sidewalk stall, work is work," he said, adding that he hopes to see economic development in Al-Muthanna one day. Economic experts say the religious season highlights both the potential of local commerce and the broader unemployment crisis in Iraq. Economist Karim Al-Hilu noted, "During Muharram and Safar, demand for food surges, especially in the first ten days and around Arbaeen," when thousands of volunteers set up roadside kitchens along pilgrimage routes to serve free meals to the millions walking to the Shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala. He pointed out that Iraq graduates around 350,000 people annually, a number the public sector cannot absorb. "The state employs 35% of Iraqis, exceeding the global norm of 15%. The rest are expected to work in the private sector, but that sector remains underdeveloped." To address unemployment, Al-Hilu urged the government to develop vocational education centers and expand financial support for small businesses. "We need strategic plans to revive the industrial and service sectors and benefit from international development loans.'
JAMnews
20 hours ago
- Politics
- JAMnews
Azerbaijan warns against children attending religious ceremonies, sparking rights concerns
Children and religious rituals in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations have issued a joint warning, stating that some parents are bringing underage children to religious ceremonies — particularly memorial gatherings — and stressed that children's physical and psychological safety must be taken into account in such situations. In the official statement, parents are urged to consider that participation in such mass ceremonies is 'inadvisable' and are called on to show particular sensitivity in cases that may contradict the law. However, the statement has raised questions in the context of human rights, freedom of religion, and children's rights. JAMnews has analysed the situation from multiple perspectives. Legal expert: 'The limits of the ban are unclear' Khalid Bagirov | photo: RFE/RL Lawyer Khalid Bagirov argues that vague and abstract wording in government restrictions creates legal uncertainty and opens the door to abuse. In a comment to JAMnews, he stated: 'If a parent of Shia faith wants to bring their child to an Ashura ceremony, that is their right. The state must clearly define what exactly is being prohibited: mourning rituals, self-flagellation, chest-beating? Or merely presence? Such legal ambiguity is unacceptable.' Bagirov also refers to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasising that raising children in accordance with parents' religious beliefs is a fundamental right. In his view, the government's approach is part of a broader, systemic policy of restricting the rights of the Shia community in Azerbaijan. He points to Ashura processions in regions like Lankaran, which raise concern among the authorities — but, he argues, at the heart of that concern lies the issue of freedom of peaceful assembly. 'Under the pretext of regulating religious rituals, the state is attempting to limit the freedom of assembly and public processions.' Bagirov adds that if such vague and restrictive measures continue, increased police control near mosques and bans on minors entering with their parents could soon follow. Believer: 'This is a continuation of the hostile attitude toward the Shia community' Alemdar Bunyatov | photo: Meydan TV Alemdar Bunyatov, representative of the Muslim Unity Movement in Europe, views the issue in a broader context. Speaking to JAMnews, he said the policy reflects a systemic and hostile attitude by the Azerbaijani authorities toward the Shia community: 'This is not just about religious ceremonies. It's part of a long-standing hostile policy toward people who identify as Shia. Now, under the pretext of protecting children, they are targeting the religious rights of families.' Bunyatov also stressed that such an approach is rooted in double standards. He questioned: 'What exactly is so concerning about a child being present at a mourning ceremony alongside adults that it warrants a ban? These people are part of society too — how can participation in such rituals possibly harm a child's upbringing?' Militarist propaganda in schools In Azerbaijan, there is a growing practice of introducing military-themed propaganda in schools from an early age. Officially promoted patriotic campaigns centre on the cult of martyrdom, alongside events and lesson formats that emphasise military symbolism. The authorities offer no critical commentary on these activities — on the contrary, such rhetoric is presented as a model of patriotism. This highlights the selective nature of official warnings regarding religious rituals: on one hand, state-approved and even state-promoted militarist and emotional narratives; on the other, administrative warnings against personal religious practices. Social worker: 'The state should keep equal distance from both religious and military rhetoric' Sanubar Heydarova | photo: personal archive Social worker Sanubar Heydarova approaches the issue from the perspective of child psychology. In an interview with JAMnews, she emphasised that to understand the authorities' concerns about children attending religious ceremonies, one must also consider parallel practices: 'From an early age, children in Azerbaijani schools are exposed to military rhetoric filled with images of blood, martyrdom, war, people crushed by tanks. This can be psychologically damaging. Yet the state presents it as patriotism and sees no threat in it.' Heydarova believes that if the government truly wants to protect children from harmful influences, its approach should be comprehensive and balanced, not selective. She proposes an alternative model for cultivating civic values: 'Children should be taught that loving your country means not littering, volunteering, caring for public property. Patriotism cannot be measured only through war.' In her view, schools should offer neutral, objective religion classes, where children receive information about different faiths. This, she argues, helps develop an informed and healthy capacity to make decisions about religious participation.
The National
a day ago
- General
- The National
Best photos of June 27: Islamic New Year to a landslide in Colombia
Shiite Muslims take part in a mourning ritual in Iraq's southern city of Basra, on the first night of the month of Muharram in the lead-up to Ashura. AFP
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
King Mohammed VI Extends Greetings on New Hijri Year
Rabat – King Mohammed VI has extended his greetings to all leaders, including the Kings, Presidents, and Emirs of Islamic countries, on the new Hijri year. In the messages, the monarch extended his congratulations and best wishes, wishing them continued health and peace in the blessed new year. Morocco announced that the new Hijri year 1447 starts on Friday, following the sighting of the crescent moon on Thursday. Today marks the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. Unlike Morocco, many countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE announced Thursday as the first day of the new Hijri year. The Hijri new year is a significant event in Islam as it marks a moment when Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina. The word Hijra comes from the word migration. The prophet's migration took place in 622 CE, when the prophet left Mecca to travel to Medina, where he was welcomed as a wise and just leader. Muharram also marks a joyful and spiritual occasion named Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic month. For Sunni Muslims, the day is observed with generosity, especially towards children, who receive gifts like toys. Ashura is also where tables are adorned with dried fruits, nuts, and delicious traditional foods to celebrate the event. Children celebrate the occasion by playing with small drums and other musical instruments, strolling the streets to dance and share the joyful spirit of the day.
