Fatima Zahra Chartiable Association’s procession on the day of Ashura 1429 A.H. (19th January 2008) in Ceramco Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Copyright © 2008 Fatima Zahra Charitable Association. All rights reserved.
Fatima Zahra Charitable Association (Hey`ate Fatemiyah) marked the martyrdom of the Master of the Martyrs, Imam Husayn (AS), by taking a procession into the open for the first time in New Zealand history.
The event took place in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. Shias from different ethnic backgrounds and associations (Husaynias) joined Fatima Zahra Charitable Association in a show of solidarity for mourning the martyrs of Karbala.
The programme included beating of the chest (seenezani), reading of ziyaarate Ashura and finally congregational prayer of the noon of Ashura led by Hajj Shaykh Hamed Soltanian. The programme continued until night time (Shaame Qareeban).
Fatima Zahra Charitable Association began its programmes from 9th January 2008, the night before the first of Muharram 1429 A.H., with noha recitation by brother Morteza Norouzi and brother Behrooz Koohi.
The event on the day of Ashura was a milestone for the Shias commemorating the event of Ashura in the country.