Ashura and Definitions I've forgotten

1. Its Raining. Right now.

/reɪn/ water that is condensed from the aqueous vapor in the atmosphere and falls to earth in drops more than ¹/₅₀ in. (0.5 mm) in diameter. Compare drizzle (def. 6).

We've almost forgotten what it was like...

2. Winter has started.

/ˈwɪntər/ the cold season between autumn and spring in northern latitudes (in the Northern Hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox; in the Southern Hemisphere from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox)

Bahrain has been cold the last few weeks. Its been a chilly 60 degrees. It doesn't sound bad, but when you don't have heat or insulation, it's downright earth chilly. Gotta bring out the long sleeve shirts. It was warmer yesterday, so I think winter might be over.

3. Ashura.

Ashura is observed by Shia Muslims in the days leading up to the 10th day of month of Muharrem (first month on the Muslim calendar). I wouldn't call it a holiday (though we have days off from school), and its certainly not celebratory.

Quick history lesson about the difference between Sunni and Shia. After the Prophet Mohamed died, there was disagreement about who the leader should be. Should the new leader be the next of kin - Hussein and Hassan? Or should it be the disciples of Mohamed? The debate was more than an intellecutal debate and turned into a battle of sorts.

The struggle ended at the town of Karbala (in modern day Iraq), where the family of Mohamed was staying. There an army of men attacked the followers Hussein, killing him, his familiy and many of his followers. The result: Sunni are those who come from the disciples of Mohamed and the Shia are those who follow the teachings of Hussein (though don't ask me the theological differences between the two. My knowledge about that is cursory at best).

Ashura remembers this event, and large gatherings take place all over Bahrain. Most siginificantly are the gatherings in the city center of Manama. One of our friends asked us if we would come down and meet him, so I donned black clothes (symbols of mourning) and Alison wore a habiya (black cloak the women wear) and hijab (head covering).

We walked around the area, watching the people, most of whom were standing around themselves. There must have been thousands of people walking around (and apparently, over 100,00 people descend on the area of about a square km the final night). We went into a tent that had many paintings, most of illustrated various events around Karbala. We waited for our friend, but by the time 11:30 rolled around, we were exhausted and had to leave.