2009.01.27
On Holidays in Iraq (Printed Version)
Most people in America are probably glad the holiday season is over. The stresses of buying gifts, preparing decorations, and visiting families have left many longing for a vacation that they may not see before Easter or Memorial Day.
In Iraq, however, holiday celebrations are only now in full swing. And they’re very different here compared to what we are used to in the States.
Keep in mind that 95% of Iraqis are Muslim. They do not believe Jesus was the Christ. They respect him as a prophet. But his birthday is not celebrated with Christmas trees, the hugely mythic character Santa, or massive exchanges of gifts.
Iraqis do have a version of Santa. They call him Abu Noel, or ‘Papa Noel.’ Of course, their version is not nearly as publicized. On New Year’s Eve, Iraqi children may receive one gift from Papa Noel in celebration of the New Year and Christmas, which on a whole much less commercialized and centered on material gifts.
In the states, they’re getting ready for the sports holiday known as the Super Bowl. But in Iraq, according to the Muslim calendar, this is the month of Muharram, which falls three months after Ramadan. The difference in the system is that the latter tracks months based on the phases of the moon, explaining why Ramadan falls at a different time every year.
Likewise, Muharram falls at a different time each year. Coincidentally, as New Year’s and holiday celebrations come to a close, the sect of Muslims called Shi’a celebrate Ashura.
Ashura is the type of celebration that would widen many Westerner’s eyes. It is a grieving period for Hussein, the son of the son-in-law of the prophet Mohamed.
The summary of Hussein’s death is that a man named Yazid was going to be named the leader of the Muslim religion, but Hussein thought that he was unqualified. The two fought and Hussein’s much smaller force was slaughtered. The major division of the Muslim religion into Sunnis and Shi’a can be traced to this very issue.
Shi’a Muslims still mourn Hussein’s death today. The grieving period involves men whipping themselves over alternating shoulders with bundles of ropes with metal shards on the ends, in unison to the beat of a drum. Towards the end of the celebration, men will cut themselves on the top of the head with knives or swords and let the blood flow down their face.
The ceremony may be shocking to Americans, but to the Shi’a, they are expressing their devotion, solidarity, frustration and their repentance of sin. Most of all, they are showing that Hussein is not forgotten in what is the height of holiday celebrations. Soon enough, perhaps the Iraqis too will be need a post-holidays vacation.
Rich Connaroe
Captain, U.S. Army
RICHARD.CONNAROE@US.ARMY.MIL
The thoughts and opinions in this article are that of the author alone and are not meant to represent the U.S. military. Any errors contained therein are that of the author.
This post was originally printed on page 3 of the Virginia Section of the Roanoke Times on 26JAN2009.
