Kay Ayed visits an exhibition devoted to the Battle of Karbala.
An exhibition has opened that sets out to explain one of the most significant events within Islamic history, the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.
The walk-through exhibition is timed to overlap with Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, which this year runs from October 15th to November 12th.
This is a month of mourning for Shia Muslims as it marks the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hussain who was killed at Karbala.
Over 30 volunteers have collectively designed and put together a walkthrough experience that represents the seven stages of the journey made by Hussain and his family that culminated with his death.
The exhibits include a model battlefield and a series of life-sized tents that have been burned to represent the burning of the tents of Hussain’s family after the battle.
Other exhibits include the kneeling figure of a priest kneeling beside the glowing head of Hussain, which tradition claims the priest paid to look after for the night.
One of the volunteers, Hussein Hassan, explained that for Shia Muslims an exhibition such as this was a chance to explain a side of Islam that people may not be aware of.
“Imam Hussain was someone who died standing up against oppression,” he said. “His message of standing up for the rights of humanity lives on through us.”
The exhibition, located at 403-405 Edgware Road, is open every weekend until the end of November. Audio guides are available in both English and Arabic.
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