Waving religious flags and holding signs calling for justice, Shia Muslims gathered and walked on Ford Road in Dearborn in a colorful display Sunday, June 28, that marked Ashura, a holiday recalling the death of a leader whose message resonates today with the faithful.
The procession started at Fordson High School, led by a group of young men who held by red flags that read “Ashura,” referring to the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, when a revered leader who is the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hussain, died in battle against an unjust ruler.
Most of the faithful were dressed in black to symobolize the mourning of his death. Many held or waved black, red and green flags praising Imam Hussain, while others held up yellow signs that read: “We do not bow down to tyrants,” “Never to Humiliation,” “Every day is Ashura, Free Palestine,” and “Your days are numbered — Justice is coming.”
Part of the procession included a couple of rows of children holding up placards with photos of children killed in Lebanon by Israeli attacks. The event is one of the largest outdoor gatherings for Dearborn’s Lebanese community, many of whom have been affected by attacks in southern Lebanon this year.
About 3,000 were expected to take part in the gathering, city officials said.
“The March for Justice is a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of Imam Hussain and his unwavering commitment to truth, dignity, and standing against oppression,” state Rep. Alabas Farhat, D-Dearborn, who attended the procession, told the Detroit Free Press. “As we commemorate Ashura, we reflect on the values of sacrifice, faith, and service to others that continue to inspire people across generations. Dearborn’s strength comes from the many faith traditions that shape our community and our shared belief that justice is always worth standing up for.”
On the sidewalks along Ford Road, there were dozens of stalls set up that offered free food — fruit, sandwiches, pastries — to passersby along with cold water bottles, tea and juices. The stalls are sponsored by local families and groups, a way to promote charity and helping those in need. The acts of kindness symbolize the idea of trying to help Imam Hussain and his companions when they were struggling to fight against injustice.
Ashura has been celebrated for decades in metro Detroit, but in recent years, it has grown in size, with packed services and bigger outdoor processions in Dearborn and Detroit. Over the past two weeks, Shia Muslims have gathered inside mosques and community centers for recitations and mournful ceremonies remembering the tragic death of Imam Hussain.
The Ashura procession, which started in 2013, is organized by the Ashura Project, which is part of the Taha Foundation, a nonprofit based in Dearborn Heights.
“We mourn what happened to Imam Hussein … knowing that the responsibility is today to ensure that we stand with every oppressed individual in this world against every oppressor, and with that comes the responsibility to engage,” Abbas Alawieh of Dearborn, a state Senate candidate, said during Ashura services on Thursday at the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a rising politician in the Democratic Party who is Shia Muslim and attends Ashura services, brought national attention to Ashura with a post on X on June 25 that read, in part: “Today, on the 10th day of Muharram, we are reminded of Imam Hussain’s unwavering commitment to truth and dignity. His timeless legacy reminds us of the enduring values of faith, service to one another, and the belief that justice is always worth fighting for.”
During the procession, participants were sprayed with mists of water hosed from tanks on the backs of volunteers to help cool them down under the hot sun. The march made its way to Ford Woods Park, where the crowd gathered for other activities and some expected speeches. During the march, some men took in rhythmic swaying and tapping of chests known as latmiya as others recited religious chants in microphones.
Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com, X @nwarikoo or Facebook @nwarikoo
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ashura march in Dearborn draws the faithful in call for justice
Reporting by Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
