3quarksdaily: Iconography of Karbala

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December 27, 2009

Iconography of Karbala

From Dawn:

The following pictures are from a procession taken out in remembrance of the Karbala tragedy on the eve of Ashura in Karachi on Wednesday. Dawn.com takes a look at the various symbols prevalent in Muharram processions in Pakistan. Feature by Salman Siddiqui. Photos by WhiteStar/Fahim Siddiqi.

When Ashura comes, the main streets of Pakistani cities are filled with thousands of mourners. Streetlights turn into posts for black-colored flags as the towering Alams (flags) lead the Muharram procession that include a variety of Taazias and Zuljinah (Imam Hussain's legendary horse) to remember the battle of Karbala that took place 1,300 years ago.

More here. And my own photos of an Ashura procession in NYC from 2007 are here.

Posted by S. Abbas Raza at 11:46 AM | Permalink

Comments

Was that photoshopped or did they actually stab the horse and parade him around?

Posted by: Louise Gordon | Dec 27, 2009 1:41:54 PM

Louise, these horses have a great life. They are not used for any work or riding, get the best food, and are only brought out one day each year to take part in the Ashura commemorations. They are never harmed. The "blood" is just red die, and the knifes are fake. There's no photoshopping!

Posted by: Abbas Raza | Dec 27, 2009 3:20:29 PM

Oh, thank Newton! That's such a relief to know it's red dye and fake knives. If they'd hurt the horse, you might have converted me to Dawkinsianism.

Posted by: Louise Gordon | Dec 27, 2009 4:28:46 PM

I still hope to convert you to Dawkinsianism one day, Louise. It's not so bad...

Posted by: Abbas Raza | Dec 27, 2009 5:38:18 PM

Religionists of all cultures maintain their inhumane ways, and it is especially disturbing when it inflicts pain on innocent animals, and brain-washes innocent children.

Posted by: MikeB | Dec 27, 2009 5:51:39 PM

MikeB,

Mistreatment of animals is by no means exclusive to religionists, is it?

All Creatures

Posted by: Louise Gordon | Dec 27, 2009 6:46:44 PM

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December 27, 2009

Iconography of Karbala

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