Shi'ite Followers in Katsina, Nigeria, Hold Annual Ashura Rituals

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From Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar, Katsina Times 

Muslim followers in Katsina, disciples of the prominent Islamic scholar in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqoub Zakzaky, have commenced their annual Ashura mourning ritual to commemorate the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Husaini (R.A).

In various states across Nigeria, these followers began the mourning on Sunday, while in Katsina, the observance commenced this evening, Monday, at their designated center known as Markaz, located in Kofar Marusa, Katsina.

The Islamic scholar in Katsina State, Sheikh Yakub Yahya, inaugurated the mourning session with speeches and proceeded with readings from historical texts detailing the events of Ashura. Sheikh Yahya also announced that the mourning sessions would continue every evening as customary until further notice.

For years, Shi'ite Muslims worldwide have observed the Ashura mourning every Muharram, reading the history of the tragic events in Karbala in the year 61 AH, where Husaini (R.A) and his small band of family and followers were martyred by the order of Yazeed ibn Muawiya, a companion of the Prophet (S).