Indonesian newspaper reveals special ceremonies to commemorate the tragedy of Karbala and Ashura in the country

The Indonesian Kompasiana Media Foundation, through an editorial article published on its official website, listed a set of the most prominent ceremonies followed by the citizens of its country in commemoration of the eternal incident of Karbala and the martyrdom of the grandson of the Messenger of God, Imam Hussein bin Ali, peace be upon him.

At the beginning of its article, the Foundation said that “in the Republic of Indonesia, which has a majority Muslim population, Muharram is an important month for Muslims because it embraces many important events in the history of the Muhammadan message, as well as the stories mentioned about it in the Holy Quran.”

The writer of the article, Sarah Noor Almas, added that “in the month of Muharram, Muslims in Indonesia commemorate the occasion in different ways and traditions,” noting that “the commemoration of Ashura is often revived according to the cultural customs of every local community within the country, since we as Muslims, find it appropriate for us to be grateful and to reflect on all the events that have taken place in this holy month.”

Almas added that “the residents of the semi-autonomous province of Aceh, northwest of the island of Sumatra, call the 10th day of Muharram, the name (Oro Asura) meaning (the tenth day of Ashura), while this month is called in the local traditions of the region, as (Acehnese Asan Usen), meaning (the month of Hassan and Hussein.”

The writer indicated that “among the customs of Aceh on the day of Ashura are the ceremonies (Tamyang) which are represented in rubbing the heads of orphans in the first ten days of the holy month, while reciting the remembrances of Imams Hassan and Hussein, and reciting the Holy Quran, as well as performing the obligatory prayers and other forms of worship.”