About Ashara Mubaraka
At the beginning of the Islamic year during the month of Muharram, the Dawoodi Bohra community – like millions of Muslims around the world – commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Husain ibn Ali AS, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed SAW.
For the Dawoodi Bohra community, this ten-day period, known as ʿAshara Mubāraka, is a time of spiritual reflection and educational growth. It has been tradition since the last 4 decades that Thousands of Dawoodi Bohras across the world travel to the city chosen for the central gathering by their leader, then-His Holiness Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA and now-His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS to listen to his sermons. Those that do not attend in person join their local congregations in which sermons are delivered by persons appointed by His Holiness TUS.
Starting on the 2nd day of the month of Muharram and delivered over nine days, the sermons explore themes of justice, sacrifice, brotherhood, forgiveness, kindness and piety – all qualities that manifest themselves in the tragedy that befell Imam Husain AS and his companions in Karbala, Iraq, which ultimately led to his martyrdom.
This year, the ʿAshara Mubāraka sermons will take place between the 10th and 18th of August.
Members close shops and businesses while professionals and students take leave during this nine-day period in order to participate dedicatedly and observe the sanctity of the occasion.
*Online Sermons due to COVID-19*
In keeping with government guidelines and instructions on social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year, Dawoodi Bohra communities all over the world will observe ʿAshara Mubāraka both at Masjid and Home with their families by following prayers and sermons online, just as they have done during Ramadan and other religious occasions since the beginning of the pandemic.
His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS will deliver Ashara Mubaraka in Kenya's capital Nairobi. The city had witnessed his father, the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s sermons in 1984 and 1998 respectively. In the previous seven years since Syedna Saifuddin’s ascension to the leadership of the community, he has conducted the Ashara sermons in Surat, Houston, Dar-es-Salaam, Karachi, Indore and Colombo. Last Year, His Holiness TUS was in Khandala and worldwide Dawoodi Bohra have fortunate to listened and watched recordings of the ʿAshara sermons delivered by His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS as well as his father, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, and grandfather, Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA.
Bohras are making technical preparations and upgrades to ensure that they can observe these important days from home as best they can. Local jamaats (congregations) and youngsters are especially making sure that senior citizens have the necessary facilities to participate in the online sermons.
Members are hand-making and decorating their homes with banners and flags bearing quranic verses as well as the names of the Prophet Mohammed SAW and his family, to recreate the spiritual ambience of the masjid or centre where they would normally congregate during these days.
*Meals at home provided by Community Kitchens*
During ʿAshara Mubāraka community members would normally gather daily for shared meals after the sermons and members would vie for the honour of hosting them. since last year, due to the current situation, cooked meals will be sent to their homes through the community kitchens commonly known as ‘Faiz al-Mawaid al-Burhaniyah.’
Those involved in preparing and distributing these meals are being given instructions and SOPs through video conferencing and other official communication channels emphasising the importance of maintaining hygiene and social distancing at all times.
*Adhering to Government Guidelines*
Crucially, all Dawoodi Bohras across the globe continue to avoid large gatherings and strictly follow local regulations and guidelines on social distancing, wearing masks, and maintaining high standards of hygiene, just as they have been doing since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
All Dawoodi Bohras spent Ashara Mubaraka 2020 safely at home in family groups, participating in online worship and playing their part to restrict the spread of the global pandemic by closing their masjids. This year, as lockdown restrictions are slowly eased in some parts of the world with limited capacity, more and more masjids have been authorised by local authorities to open for community worship.
However, where Covid-19 restrictions are still in place, such as in India and many parts of the world, Bohras continue to worship at home and pray for fellow citizens in these most trying times, while looking forward to a time when they can safely return to their local masjid.
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