Ramadan atmosphere and displays in Holy Karbala

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: The holy month of Ramadan possesses special sacredness and distinguished rituals and the people’s life style in this month changes totally, while the atmosphere of the fasting month becomes more spiritual in the religious cities.

Flock of night time visitors from Holy Karbala’s suburbs and neighboring cities and towns begin descending at the holy shrines of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (peace be upon him) and his brother Al-Abbas (peace be upon him), and Zainabi hill near their shrines – a place of their sister Sayyedah Zainab bint-e-Ali (peace be upon them) - in the holy city of Karbala at noon to achieve the honor of iftar at the holy shrines.

Shining of great happiness appears on the faces with wish of forgiveness, achieving reward for obedience, acceptance of fasting and standing in the holy month of Ramadan. That rejoicing is reflected with the rise of sounds of cheer, praise to Allah and prayers under the golden domes. They spend their nights at the shrines in recitation of holy Quran, special Ramadan invocations, prayers and attending majalis-el-Imam Al-Hussein (peace be upon him) that begin with duaa al-Iftetah.

The religious nature of the holy city and its spiritual climates bestowed people from different levels, belonging and cultures the great cultural richness and ability for dealing and interaction.

The streets are decorated with lights and colorist candles while banners and signs inscribed with advertisements of preaching sittings, guidance gatherings, religious councils, intellectual seminars and Holy Quran recitation meetings that different organizations, committees, mosques and husseiniyaat arrange throughout Al-Hussein (peace be upon him) city.

One of these majalis that are held in the Imam Al-Hussein (peace be upon him) shrine compound is sitting for interpretation of holy Quran. Ayatullah Sayyed Mortada Al-Qazvini interprets verses of holy Quran in the majlis attended by large number of people.

Sayyed Nuri Al-Mousavi addresses another majlis held between the two holy shrines. He addresses the problems of Islamic world as well as Islamic values and holy seerah of holy Prophet (peace be upon him & his pure progeny) and his Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them).

While the markets are teemed with customers for shopping of Ramadan table i.e. meats, sweets, juices, lentil soup, traditional dishes, various fruits and others.

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