'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎109v] (223/610)

184
Religious
Ritual and
observances.
Muharram.
hold of the peasantry in addition to whatever he may receive
from the landlord.
In the towns Ecclesiastical properties are a source of income
for Mujtahids. These properties have been bequeathed by
religious persons for the upkeep of a masjid, maintenance of
religious schools or 4 rauzehkhani,’ or to be administered for the
benefit of a town. Of the latter category “ qanats ” afford
flagrant cases of peculation, the fees paid for water being
pocketed by the Mujtahids while the “ qanats ” for the upkeep
of which this money should be devoted, are left to fall into
ruin.
The ministry of Education and ecclesiastical properties
established since the Revolution has failed to deal with these
abuses.
The religious seasons are Muharram, the first and Ramazan
the 9th month of the Hajri, the uncorrected Arabic lunar year,
so that these months occur at all seasons in turn.
The Muharram celebrations are peculiar to the Shi’ah Sect
and commemorate the anniversary of the events culminating
in the slaughter of Imam Husain and all his follpwers on the
plain of Kerbela on the 10th day.
These first 10 days are termed I)aheh ” in Persian and
‘‘Ashra” in Arabic. During them “ taziyehkhanl ’ and
“rauzehkhani” performances prevail.
The climax is reached at noon of the 10th day, when
numerous 3 processions are formed of 4 passion players, Mour
ners, followers of Husain bareheaded, clad in white, carry
ing swords or chains, with which they cut and beat them
selves, and stained with blood, of 7 Arabs with the bier and
led horse of Husain, a carrier pigeon, and the lion which
protected his corpse, of Saiyids, of merchants, etc.
A dummy representation of Omar used to be paraded for
public execration and burned, but this practice called The
killing of Omar ” was suppressed by the government out of
respect for the feelings of the Sunni, who regard Omar as the
second Caliph.
1 Auwqaf.
2 Vazarat-i-Mu’arif ve Auwqaf.
3 Dasteh.
1 Dasteh-i-taziyehkhanl.
6 Dasteh-i-smehzanI and dasteh-i-nauhehkhanl. , ,
3 Dasteh-i-Shah Husainiha. The latter are mostly Turks ’
vows made by their parents to Imam Husain that if a .sonwere t,<
them he should every year keep this observance in Husam s memory.
7 Dasteh-i-arabha.
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