What is Ashura?

Apologies for the media quality, my iPhone was the only option at the time.

With the current spate of student riots in the capital, I was not too surprised to come across a march running through Notting Hill Gate while I was looking for my dad's birthday card. Arabic banners, proximity to the Israeli embassy - it looked at first like just another group of activists chanting their chants.

But this was no protest - it was a celebration. I spoke to Dr. Saleem Hadi of Al-Islam about the meaning behind the drum-and-banner-toting parade.
Ashura is a celebration of Imam El Hussain and his matyrdom for the Islamic faith.
Who was he? - The grandson of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. Also successor to the Prophet and a guide to mankind. He was martyed in 681 CE on the plains of Kerbala, near the banks of the historic Euphrates river in Iraq.
Hussein was mercilessly executed along with 72 members of his family, including his 6 month old son, after being denied access to water for three days

The reason?
Hussein refused to pay allegiance to Yazin, the then despotic Muslim ruler of Arabia.

This procession that runs from Marble Arch to Holland Park, is symbolic of the stand taken by Hussein against Yazid's tyranny and an emulation of the parading that the martyrs' family had to undergo by force from Kerbala, Iraq, to Damascus, Syria, via an irregular 1600km route for 3 weeks under inhumane conditions.
The celebration endeavors to manifest the divinely ordained duty of the followers of Islam to raise their voices against all forms of oppression and terrorism.
It expresses solidarity with all the oppressed and for freedom of speech and expression.
The participants recite eulogies on Hussain and beat their chests as a mark of sorrow.

There is moderation in all things. Why I love London is that you can always find it here. Cheesy kicker, I know, but as an outsider what would you have presumed the march was about by just looking at the photos and videos? Comments, as always, welcome.