TEHRAN, August 07 (MNA) – Great Husseiniya of Zanjan is world-famous for hosting a large gathering on 8th day of Muharram, the Day of al-Abbas, which is specifically allocated to Hazarat Abolfazl whose martyrdom was the symbol of loyalty in Karbala.Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar.
The importance of this month for Shi'a Muslims is because of the tragedy of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and 72 of his loyal companions in the battle of Karbala on Ashura day (Muharram 10, 61 AH).
After the martyrdom of the third Shi’a Imam in Muharram, this month turned into the month of mourning ceremonies for Shi'a Muslims in the world, and Ashura day held special significance within Islam.
Today, holding large-scale mourning ceremonies and rituals in Muslim communities around the world conveys the message that “Every day is Ashura and every land is Karbala.” Like all Shia Muslims around the world, Iranian people in all cities observe mourning ceremonies of Muharram month with their own local rituals and traditions in different religious venues to commemorate the courageous martyrdom of their beloved Imam.
Known as the capital of passion and recognition for Imam Hossein (AS), the Zanjan province of Iran annually attracts hundreds of thousands of mourners from Iran and foreign countries to attend the mourning ceremonies of Great Husseiniya of Zanjan.



In this mourning procession which takes place from mid-day prayer to noon prayer, mourners in black attire show their sorrow by beating their chests in mourning to the tune of beating drums and rehearsing sad poems alongside the Maddah (eulogist) who sings the sad poems with a specific rhythm about Karbala incidents, and Imam Hussein (AS).

Annually, this glorious event is broadcasted live so that people around the globe can watch it through IRIB TV, foreign TV channels, and online platforms.
Being unique in its kind, the procession of the Great Husseiniya of Zanjan was registered as the country's tenth cultural and spiritual heritage in the list of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts on January 4, 2009.
Great Hoseiniyah of Zanjan second alter in Islamic World after Mecca Regarding the number of sacrificial animals slaughtered during Muharram month, the Great Husseiniya of Zanjan is the first altar in the Shia world and the second altar in the Islamic world after Mina in Mecca holy city.
Regarding the fact that helping the poor is a must in Islam, annually, thousands of sacrificial animals, including camels, cows, and sheep are donated by Husseini mourners to the Husseiniya of Zanjan.
In recent years, the record of sacrificing 12,000 herds of animals by the mourners of Imam Hussein (AS) has been registered.



‘Hosseini infants’ ceremony in Great Husseiniya of Zanjan

