Is Yemen 2015 (and Iraq-Syria) renewal of Karbala, 680 A.D.? The
Battle of Karbala, in fact, marked a fundamental moment in the history
of Islam (see today tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran): it was the
episode that defined the schism, the irrreversible split in the Moslem
world, and it is widely celebrated in Shiite iconography. On 10th day
of Muharran of the 61t year of Hejira (10 October 680 A.D.), fifty
year after Mohammed's death, Ali's son Husain, who was succeed the
latter Caliph, was ambushed by his rival's large forces, and massacred
along with most of his men. The action took place near Karbala, in
Iraq. The Karbala massacre was a triumph for Beni Umaya (the Umayyads,
Caliphs of Damascus), who represented the democratic or elective
party, over the Beni Hashim (Hashemites, Caliphs of Kufa), who
supported the principle of a hereditary line descending from the
Prophet.Husayn's head was presented as a trophy to his rival Yasid, at
Damascus: later the mourning Hashemite women begged to be returned the
head, a requet that was granted. The head was brought to Karbala and
reunited with the body in a fitting burial.The Shiite conider Husayn
to be the First Martyr, and his death is celebrated every year in the
month of Muharran. The lamentations of Muharran re-enact the tragic
events (the ambush, the massacre, the return of the head) and are
often accompanied by collective flagellations. The intense emotion and
grief that dominate the Lamentations recall the Medieval Passion play.
The Karbala martyrs includes all Husayn's companions who fell in the
battle or who ere killed after the surrender. The prints that follow
the Koran's ruling on the human figure show the batterflied without
warriors, and the dramatic event is symbolized by empty tents, crossed
scimitars, arrow flying in the sky, while purple roses represent the
martyrs. In other prints the Koran's rule is ignored, and warriors are
shown: the story is vividly described in numerous episodes such as
duels and other moments of the battle.
Casalino Pierluigi, London, on December, 8 th, 2015.
Battle of Karbala, in fact, marked a fundamental moment in the history
of Islam (see today tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran): it was the
episode that defined the schism, the irrreversible split in the Moslem
world, and it is widely celebrated in Shiite iconography. On 10th day
of Muharran of the 61t year of Hejira (10 October 680 A.D.), fifty
year after Mohammed's death, Ali's son Husain, who was succeed the
latter Caliph, was ambushed by his rival's large forces, and massacred
along with most of his men. The action took place near Karbala, in
Iraq. The Karbala massacre was a triumph for Beni Umaya (the Umayyads,
Caliphs of Damascus), who represented the democratic or elective
party, over the Beni Hashim (Hashemites, Caliphs of Kufa), who
supported the principle of a hereditary line descending from the
Prophet.Husayn's head was presented as a trophy to his rival Yasid, at
Damascus: later the mourning Hashemite women begged to be returned the
head, a requet that was granted. The head was brought to Karbala and
reunited with the body in a fitting burial.The Shiite conider Husayn
to be the First Martyr, and his death is celebrated every year in the
month of Muharran. The lamentations of Muharran re-enact the tragic
events (the ambush, the massacre, the return of the head) and are
often accompanied by collective flagellations. The intense emotion and
grief that dominate the Lamentations recall the Medieval Passion play.
The Karbala martyrs includes all Husayn's companions who fell in the
battle or who ere killed after the surrender. The prints that follow
the Koran's ruling on the human figure show the batterflied without
warriors, and the dramatic event is symbolized by empty tents, crossed
scimitars, arrow flying in the sky, while purple roses represent the
martyrs. In other prints the Koran's rule is ignored, and warriors are
shown: the story is vividly described in numerous episodes such as
duels and other moments of the battle.
Casalino Pierluigi, London, on December, 8 th, 2015.