What is Muharram?

In the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching, which asserts that we are one family created in God’s image, we are called to extend respect and courtesy to all faith traditions. As Pope Leo recently reminded us, hope calls on us to put our trust in God, just as Moses did and as our Muslim friends do as they celebrate Muharram starting on June 16. 

On Tuesday, June 16, our Islamic friends will begin observing Muharram, known as the month of Allah, a time of reflection, fasting, mourning and ideally peace.  Celebrated at the start of each Islamic New Year, The tenth of Muharram, June 26, is known as Ashura, an important day of commemoration in Islam. 

or Sunni Muslims, Ashura marks the parting of the Red Sea by Moses and the salvation of the Israelites. 

For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning as they commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third Shia imam.

Of particular interest from a Catholic perspective is that the story of Moses, central to Islam, Judaism, and Christianity alike. As shared in the Quran, Torah, and Bible, Moses, raised as an Egyptian prince, led the Israelites out of enslavement in Egypt, a journey that was defined by the plagues, the first Passover, and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. Three religious traditions, three religious texts, and one over-riding Deity, Allah, Yahweh or God.  

Muslims commemorate the Israelites' escape from their Egyptian oppressors in part because the exodus of the Israelites is seen as parallel to the migration of the followers of Muhammad. Also, Moses is revered as a prominent prophet and messenger in Islam, and his narrative is recounted the most among the prophets in the Quran. He is regarded by Muslims as one of the five most prominent prophets in Islam, along with Jesus, Abraham, Noah and Muhammad.

Marsha Holm, member St. Ignatius Parish Anti-Racism Committee