Happy Muharram
January 8, 2009 5:01 AM Subscribe
Today is Muharram, a holy day for all muslims. Why is it holy, whele, here, take a look for yourselves.
that wikipedia article is terrible. it's written in the style of a 2nd grader, and still doesn't manage to tell you why Muslims celebrate Muharram and what its significance is.
posted by shmegegge at 7:59 AM on January 8, 2009
posted by shmegegge at 7:59 AM on January 8, 2009
Somehow I rather doubt that we'll be seeing the fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza, etc end for the duration of Muharram (and, since this is the 11th of Muharram, it obviously hasn't ended or even slacked off for the first 11 days).
So, how is "fighting" defined by most Muslim sects as it applies to Muharram? I'm guessing there's a defense exemption and the combatants have a rather Libertarian definition of "defense"?
Or is this kind of like the idea of Christmas as a "season of peace" for Christians in that its talked about that way, but no one actually changes their behavior?
posted by sotonohito at 11:56 AM on January 8, 2009
So, how is "fighting" defined by most Muslim sects as it applies to Muharram? I'm guessing there's a defense exemption and the combatants have a rather Libertarian definition of "defense"?
Or is this kind of like the idea of Christmas as a "season of peace" for Christians in that its talked about that way, but no one actually changes their behavior?
posted by sotonohito at 11:56 AM on January 8, 2009
"So, how is "fighting" defined by most Muslim sects as it applies to Muharram?"
For the whole month there will be no "One, Two, Three, Four, I declare a thumb war!"
As for killing and stuff, that's OK.
posted by noriyori at 12:22 PM on January 8, 2009
For the whole month there will be no "One, Two, Three, Four, I declare a thumb war!"
As for killing and stuff, that's OK.
posted by noriyori at 12:22 PM on January 8, 2009
Forgive me for asking this, but isn't Muharram (Ashura) a day of _mourning_ ? Always thought wishing someone a _Happy_ Muharram was culturally insensitive.
posted by the cydonian at 12:37 AM on January 9, 2009
posted by the cydonian at 12:37 AM on January 9, 2009
Damn, you found me out cydonian. :)
And yeah, shouldn't it be "well". Sort of couldn't figure that out yesterday--very good.
posted by hadjiboy at 5:59 AM on January 9, 2009
And yeah, shouldn't it be "well". Sort of couldn't figure that out yesterday--very good.
posted by hadjiboy at 5:59 AM on January 9, 2009
« Older Larry Flynt needs financial aid | How to Lose Directors & Alienate Actors Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by exhilaration at 6:50 AM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]