On Thursday, as Muslims observed Muharram, many people including political parties confused the day of mourning for a festival and wished 'happy Muharram'.
A post shared on Instagram shows official Twitter handles of Indian Youth Congress and BJP Arunachal Pradesh wishing people a happy Muharram.
One quick look at Twitter shows scores of people wishing a happy Muharram to Muslims including brands and politicians.
For the uninitiated, the month of Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Calendar when Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was killed along with his family by Yazid, who was the second caliph of the Umayyad empire.
According to Islamic historians, the event, remembered for Hussain’s supreme sacrifice, occurred in 680 AD, on the tenth day of Muharram (Ashura).
Hussain, with a faithful army of 72, including women and children were slaughtered in the heat of Karbala (Iraq) by a trained army of over 10,000 men.
Unlike other Islamic events, where celebrations and festivities are major part of the Muslim festivals, Muharram on the other hand, is the month of mourning and praying.
Muslims begin mourning from the first night of the Muharram which continues for ten nights, climaxing on the Day of Ashura. On Ashura, Shias mourn Imam’s death by self-flagellating, to remember the sufferings of Imam Hussain.
