Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar that began on June 26, is considered the most holiest month after Ramzan, the period of dawn-to-dusk fasting, charity, and prayers. The first ten days of the month are also a time for religious sermons, called majlis or gathering.
The significance of the month is revealed by its name which means forbidden. Muharram is seen as a period of peace when war is forbidden. For the Shia sect, the 10th of the month (July 6), known as Ashura, is especially important as it is the day of the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Husain, along with his family and companions at the battle of Karbala. The incident and the dispute over who should succeed the prophet led to the establishment of the two major sects of Islam.
Muslims engage in worship and charitable activities during this month. Shias spend Muharram and the following months as a period of mourning and prayers. While taziyas, replicas of the tombs of the martyrs, are carried during processions on ashura, the month's first ten days are marked with majlis.
Central Mumbai's Mughal Masjid is one of the important venues for the discourses. The mosque, which is built in the Persian style of architecture, is holding sermons by Maulana Habib Qabal Mirza Muhammad Ejaaz Athar Qadr from Lucknow from the first of Muharram to the night of ashura. Thousands of devotees attend the sermons that start at 8.00pm.
Maulana Mohammad Mirza Yasoob Abbas, speaker of All India Shia Personal Law Board, addresses gatherings at Mughal Masjid. "The subjects of the sermons cover events at Karbala and the responsibilities during Muharram," said Abbas.
The Ashra-e-Majalis at the Mughal Masjid has been an unbroken tradition for decades. Another popular sermon series is held by Maulana Syed Abid Bilgrami. The sermons are held between chand raat, the first day of the month, and Shab-e-Ashur, the evening of the 10th day. Rizvi College in Bandra is one of the venues for the gathering.
The Dawoodi Bohras refer to these days as Ashara Mubaraka where community members gather in masjids and community centres across the world twice during the day.
