Zaynabiya Area In Istanbul Raises Black Husayni Banners For Muharram

In Istanbul, Turkey, the Zaynabiya area has begun to wear mourning garb in anticipation of Muharram, with black banners and Husayni slogans raised in the streets, shops, and public facilities surrounding the Zaynabiya Mosque and Cultural Center.

“According to the Ahl al-Bayt International News Agency, the Zaynabiya area in Istanbul, Turkey, has begun to wear mourning garb in anticipation of the holy month of Muharram, with black banners and Husayni slogans raised in the streets, shops, and public facilities surrounding the Zaynabiya Mosque and Cultural Center, one of the most prominent Islamic centers affiliated with Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) in Turkey and Europe”

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA

The Zaynabiya Mosque and Cultural Center said its Zaynabiya area and Zaynabiya Street were adorned with black banners and the phrases 'Labbayk Ya Husayn' as preparations began for the annual Husayni mourning ceremonies.

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA

The same Ahl al-Bayt International News Agency account describes the Zaynabiya Mosque and Cultural Center as one of the most prominent Islamic centers affiliated with Ahl al-Bayt in Turkey and Europe.

It adds that the institution hosts year-round religious, cultural, and social activities and draws wide crowds during Ashura, Arba'een, and other Islamic occasions.

The preparations are described as reflecting the scale of popular participation in Husayni rituals in Turkey, where the Zaynabiya area is annually transformed into a center for reviving the memory of Ashura and commemorating the uprising of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him).

In Ankara, Turkey, a brief handshake between former CHP chair Özgür Özel and his successor Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu took place at a funeral ceremony in Parliament for former lawmaker Orhan Sür.

Daily Sabah said the two men, who had been trading harsh criticisms for days, shook hands at the ceremony and that Kılıçdaroğlu left minutes later, declining questions from journalists about returning to Parliament.

Al-Manar TV Lebanon

The same report said Özel insisted he is still the rightful officeholder and urged Kılıçdaroğlu to hold a new intra-party election, while an Ankara court ruled Özel’s victory was questionable amid allegations of vote-buying and reinstated him to the office.

Daily Sabah also reported that Kılıçdaroğlu scrapped plans to travel to Istanbul for the first time since his reinstatement, saying it could be 'wrong under current circumstances.'

In a social media post, Kılıçdaroğlu said he had originally planned to attend an Ashura event in Istanbul but decided to skip it, adding, 'The best stance, sometimes, is not joining the crowd.'

Al-Manar TV Lebanon reported that Turks marked Ashura in Istanbul with massive marches in the city, commemorating the tenth of Muharram and the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).

“Although briefly, a funeral brought together the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Thursday”

Daily Sabah

The Al-Manar English website account said the commemoration took place on Thursday, and it framed the marches as marking the tenth of Muharram, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).

In the same Istanbul-focused coverage, the Ahl al-Bayt International News Agency account described the Zaynabiya area as annually transformed into a center for reviving the memory of Ashura and commemorating the uprising of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him).

Together, the two accounts place Istanbul at the center of Muharram observances, with black Husayni banners and 'Labbayk Ya Husayn' phrases described by ABNA and massive Ashura marches described by Al-Manar.

The ABNA account also ties the Istanbul preparations to the Zaynabiya Mosque and Cultural Center’s role in drawing wide crowds during Ashura and other Islamic occasions.