The captives were taken to Kufa where Zaynab, Husayn’s sister is defiant in the face of ibn Ziyad, one of battlefield commanders. They are forced to travel to Damascus where Yazid gloats over the head of Husayn and insults Ali and Zaynab, the only family who survived the massacre at...

Find out more about the key people mentioned in the historical events surrounding the Ashura massacre in Karbala.(NB: Hijri dates are given beforehand followed by Gregorian dates, thus 132AH/750CE) Ali (Abu’l – Hasan ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib)Though not directly involved at Karbala, ‘Ali is a vitally important character in Islamic...

Muharram commemorates the events that took place in Karbala in 61AH/680CE which culminated in the massacre of Husayn and his followers. As a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammad Imam Husayn was considered by Shi’a Muslims to be their spiritual leader and their tradition dictated he should lead the Islamic...

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Instead of joyous celebration, Muslims mark the beginning of the new year by taking up the black attire of sorrow and participate in mourning gatherings in which the sacrifices of Husayn and his companions are commemorated.