The lectures also cover the movement of Imam Husayn alayhis-salam...

The lectures also cover the movement of Imam Husayn alayhis-salam, the values he stood for, and the aim for which he paid everything he had – his own life as well as those of his sons, brothers, nephews, and companions. Various aspects of the teachings of Imam Husayn alayhis-salam are normally addressed in these public lectures and speeches. As part of the Husayni Sha‘a’er, there are also programs of public show of grief, known as Ma’tam or Ta‘ziah in Arabic, Azadari in Farsi.

The programs of Ta‘ziah take various forms such as: reciting lamentation poetry and chest beating. However, on the tenth day of Muharram, Ashura – the day of the killing of Imam Husayn, in their grief and sorrow, and in their wish to have been able to join Imam Husayn in his battle with falsehood, devotees of Imam Husayn take part in public processions of self-flagellation (Zanjir) and/or hitting themselves on the top of their head with a sword or any other sharp blade to allow blood to flow – known as Tatbir in Arabic or Qama-Zani in Farsi, - in sympathy with Imam Husayn,, and his companions.

To create the atmosphere of the battlefield of Karbala, drums, horns, and cymbals are also used during the ceremony of Tatbir program. Needless to say that the ceremonies of Tatbir have been conducted for many generations, stretching over many centuries, and starting with the era of the Ahl-ul-Bayt alayhum-as-salam. Over the many centuries the Tatbir program has proven to be very safe and is performed by experienced individuals.

Tatbir is performed by the devotees throughout the world; from India, Pakistan, and the Middle East, to Europe, America and Australia.

This is perhaps one of the manifestations of the famous saying; “Every day is Ashura, and every land is Karbala.” There are also programs of enactments – known as Shabeeh – depicting the scenes of the battlefield of Karbala and its aftermath, showing the severed heads, and the decapitated bodies, the marching of troops of Yazid taking the women and children captive, etc.

After the killing of the Imam and his companions, the victorious army of Yazid torched their tents, and the fearful women and children, being chased from one place to another, ran over the ashes of the blazing tents that had been set alight by the triumphant troops. Today, the torching of the tents are also enacted on the day of Ashura, by setting alight many tents that had been set up for this purpose.