June 24th is Tasua Day.
In the midst of the mourning celebrations of the Islamic month of Muharram, when Muslims remember the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Husayn, and his valiant companions, this June 24th marks the day of Tasua.
On this day of national mourning, when businesses, bazaars, and museums remain closed, and the streets are entirely painted black and red, the atmosphere in every city and village in Iran becomes solemn and deeply moving. Tasua is in fact the day dedicated to the memory of Abu al-Fadl Abbas, brother of Imam Hussein, an enduring symbol of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice, as well as one of the most famous and revered figures in Iran. According to tradition, although the army of the usurping caliph Yazid had blocked access to the water of the Euphrates for Imam Hussein's group – which consisted of a few warriors, women, elderly people, and children – Abbas courageously rode through enemy lines to collect water for the thirsty camp, being brutally martyred before managing to return. In light of this, Abbas is celebrated in Iranian culture as the unsurpassed model of absolute fidelity.Vafadari): in Iran, in fact, calling someone “like Abbas” is the highest compliment possible to describe a friend or a loyal ally who never betrays. Abu al-Fadl Abbas is also remembered in the simplest and most everyday moments, such as when drinking a glass of water: he was in fact the sakka, the Water-Bearer, for which, as has been said, he suffered martyrdom. This is why in Iran it is customary to invoke his name when drinking a glass of cold water on a hot day, exclaiming: Ya Abbas.
On the day of Tasua, every year, millions of Iranians dressed in black pour into the streets and near mosques or shrines. Tekyeh (places designated for ceremonies), parading in enormous rhythmic processions, singing religious elegies (Nowhere) led by a singer and beating their chests with the palm of their hands as a sign of deep shared grief (Sine-Zani). It is also common practice to stage the Ta'zieh, ancient popular theatrical performances recognized by UNESCO as intangible heritage of humanity, with the aim of evoking the events of Karbala, the land where the Imam's brave warriors met their death. One of the most heartfelt traditions is the preparation of the Nazri: large quantities of food (such as stew Gheimeh or rice pudding Sholezard) are cooked in huge cauldrons and distributed free of charge to anyone who passes by on the street, as a fulfillment of a vow or a pure act of charity.
However, Iran, a nation rich in diversity and regional peculiarities, has developed different and unique ways to celebrate this commemoration. In the central province of Yazd, Tasua Day revolves around the ritual of Nakhl-Gardani, the lifting of a gigantic wooden structure in the shape of a leaf, weighing several tons, which symbolizes the coffin of the martyrs; in the cities of the western region of Lorestan, such as Khorramabad, mourning takes on an extreme visual form through the Gel-Mali, or the custom of smearing one's body with mud; in Zanjan, in the north-west of the country, the most impressive Tasua procession in the nation takes place at the Hoseyniyeh Ershadi-ye Azam mosque; in the coastal regions of the Persian Gulf, particularly in Bushehr, the celebration is instead strongly punctuated by dramatic musical rhythms.
As mentioned, the entire Iran, with all its facets and particularities, shares in the memory and mourning of Abu al-Fadl Abbas. He was an Arab, therefore, certainly not a Persian, but his heroism has transcended the borders of his land and the centuries to inspire men and women in every corner of the globe. Abbas is a universal symbol, not a national or regional one, a vivid reminder of the concepts, now so rare, of loyalty and selflessness. The heartfelt mourning in his memory can perhaps offer Westerners a glimpse into the profound motivations that drive Iranians, even today, to follow an unwavering political and ideological line: heroism has no flag, and loyalty is a precious value to be preserved and defended. Perhaps, precisely through the Iranian people's love for Abbas, we can understand why Iran acts, even sacrificing its own children, to aid the oppressed of the world; why it strenuously supports Palestine; so that it does not allow a ceasefire agreement that excludes Lebanon. The memory of Abu al-Fadl Abbas, a symbol of courage and loyalty, is not just a date on the calendar, but the renewal of a promise: to draw inspiration from the purest of men to purify this world, beyond national, cultural, religious, or political differences.