The Significance of Sacred Sites in Performance Ritual

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Introduction

Ceremony or performance of rituals has been in existence with humans for all their life on earth. Evolution of humans has shown that human beings have that inner desire to always believe in a being with greater power, and to always look for ways of paying homage to that Supreme Being.

This drive has resulted in the creation of rites that are sacred. There is no doubt that our ancestors were very religious, just in the same way people are at present as seen from the things they do in their daily life. This means that in life, everything has some spiritual importance. People usually get a sense of empowerment through rituals, they are united in a communication to the higher being, and they are also able to satisfy their inner desires. This paper will discuss the importance of sacred sites in performance of rituals.

Shi’i Symbols and Rituals in Modern Iran

Much of the history of the Middle East dwells on two Islamic groups, the Shi’is, and the Sunnis. The Shi’is is a group that supports the descendants of Prophet Mohammad whom they believe should be his successors. This there has made them to be in opposition to the Sunnis who are associated with the ruling class.

This opposition has attracted many people because of its religious inclinations. The rituals and symbols that are performed during the month of Moharram are linked to this opposition where by the Shi’is remember the war at Karbala where the offspring of Prophet Mohammad were killed including his Grandson, Hoseyn. The rituals involved mourning and recounting of these killings. These symbols and rituals have grown to become popular among the Iranian culture.^[1]

The rulers used these symbols to strengthen their relationships with the people. One group that was successful in this area was the Qajars. There were those who used their power to suppress these rituals.

These included rulers like Reza Shah and his son Mohammad. There followed revolutionaries, who used the rituals to overthrow the existing regime and put in place an Islamic regime. The Iranian State has also used these symbols and rituals to stamp its authority and legitimacy, although the opposition and the society as a whole, uses them to check the government.

Failure by the state to incorporate the rituals and symbols into its policies can lead to a crisis as it happened to the Pahlavi regime. The present Iranian government has effectively used these symbols, and that is why it is hard for any one to oppose it. The symbols and rituals performed during Moharram in Iran have been effective in expressing ideals both socially and politically.^[2]

From the Qur’an

The holly book, the Qur’an, to the Muslims is a symbol that gives them guidance in their daily lives. The holly book comprises of the actions, sayings, and recommendations given by the prophet to his followers. It gives all Muslims legal authority in their land as well spiritual purity.

Apart from its theological and political guidance, the Qur’an also has a linguistic significance in the Islamic realm. In the Islamic religion, rites of passage for young people and celebration of annual holidays are some of the rituals performed. To Muslims, children are blessings from God. The male child is usually circumcised while in the infancy stage.

All children learn the Islamic faith by memorizing the Qur’an. According to the holly book, all Muslims are supposed to pray five times in a day (salat), but before prayers, one has to enter what is called “Wadu”, a state purity that involves hand, feet, and face washing. Women are also to wash their hair. An important event in the Islamic calendar is the Hajji. It is said that every able and strong Muslim should at least pay a pilgrimage to Mecca.^[3]

From the Bible

Christians use the bible to perform many rituals basing on their understanding of the biblical symbols and their denominations. For instance, many of the Christians worship on Sundays, although some worship on Saturdays. Their service or mass usually include singing of songs, praying and then the sermon. Christian churches usually have rituals for ordination as is done by the Catholics or inaugurating a person in a leadership position in the Church.

Practicing Christians usually have regular bible readings at home. An important ritual that is performed by many Christians is baptism whereby a baptized individual is expected to participate regularly in communion. This two are considered sacraments in some denominations. For instance, the Catholic Church practices seven sacraments on top of other devotions such as reciting the rosary and paying pilgrimages. Baptism is understood by Christians as a symbol of liberation or salvation from sin.^[4]

From Tanakh

Tanakh is the book carrying the holly scriptures of the Jews. It is an abbreviation coined from Torah “teachings”, Nevi’im “prophets”, and Ketuvim “writings”. The Tanakh comprises of 24 books. The Jews believe that God made a covenant with the Israelites when he gave the Torah containing the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai. During praying and religious practices, Jewish men and women wear specific clothes.

For instance, a Kippah is worn during “raying, eating, studying religious texts, and reciting blessings.” Jews usually have three prayer sessions in a day, in the morning, after waking, and before and after meals. Many Jews prefer communal prayers although they can also pray in isolation.^[5]

Mecca to Sunnis

Mecca is a city in the west of Saudi Arabia. It holds what Muslims regard as the holiest Mosques in Islam. It is also where the founding father of Islam was born, began his preaching and where he came for his last pilgrimage. It is therefore the center for Muslim pilgrimage in the whole world.

Pilgrimage is one of the five Islamic pillars that are required of all Muslims who are able bodied. Pilgrimage stand for Hajji in Arabic, for the Sunni Muslims, Hajji is the most important pillar in their lives because the other Muslims, the Shi’is have other pilgrimage. This makes Mecca a significant site in the lives of Sunnis.^[6]

Karbala to Shi’is

Karbala on the other hand, is a city located in Iraq. This city is considered among the holiest cities among the Islamic Shi’is. The Shi’is regards this city with utmost importance because it is the site where the shrine of Prophet Mohammad’s grandson Hoseyn was built.

Hoseyn is considered a great martyr among the Shi’is who was killed by Sunnis at Karbala. Shi’is pay pilgrimage to Karbala, while there, they also visit the shrine of Hoseyn’s half brother that was also killed in the battle. It’s is alleged that many Shi’is who are old go to Karbala to die because they believe that Karbala is one of the gates to heaven.^[7]

Significance of Mt. Sinai to Jews

Mt. Sinai is a very sacred site among the Jews. They believe that because the prophet Moses was given the Ten Commandments or the Torah by God on this mountain. According to them, this is the place where God made a covenant with them.^[8]

Significance of Jerusalem to Christians, Muslims and Jews

Jerusalem on the other hand, is Israel’s capital city but recognized by Christians, Muslims, and Jews as the holy city. The biblical events that are said to have taken place in Jerusalem as mentioned in the Old Testament makes this city very important in the Christians and Jewish religion.

The Torah also has explicit accounts about Jerusalem, and this being a Jewish scriptural text, the city is very important to them. Muslims on their part believe that Mohammad, the last prophet had paid a visit to Jerusalem during one of his dreams. This event made Jerusalem the first prayer direction for the Muslims. The close relation of significant figures in the bible such as Abraham, Solomon and Jesus to Jerusalem makes this city have significance to the Muslims because they also regard these figures as prophets of Islam.^[9]

Conclusion

In this paper we have seen that rituals are events that entail rites or symbolic actions. It does not just involve putting up symbols but calls on people to participate in some special being that projects them beyond the physical realm. All the religions in the world incorporate rituals in their day to day activities in make sure that their faithful understand their doctrines. Communities also use symbols and rites to carry on their traditions.

Bibliography

Aghaie, Scott. 2004. The Martyrs of Karbala: Shi’i Symbols and Rituals in Modern Iran. Seattle: University of Washington Press.

Christian rituals. n.d. “Christian Rituals and Practices.” Religion Facts. Web.

Hayes, Holly. 2009. “Karbala, Karbala.” Sacred Destination. Web.

History of Judaism. n.d. “History of Judaism.” Religion Facts. Web.

Omran, Essayed. 1998. “Islam, the Qur’an and the Arabic Literature.” Al-Islam. Web.

Werblowsky, Zwi. n.d. “The Meaning of Jerusalem to Jews, Christians and Muslims.” Christian Action for Israel. Web.

Footnotes

Aghaie, Scott. 2004. The Martyrs of Karbala: Shi’i Symbols and Rituals in Modern Iran. Seattle: University of Washington Press.
Aghaie, Scott. 2004. The Martyrs of Karbala: Shi’i Symbols and Rituals in Modern Iran. Seattle: University of Washington Press.
Omran, Essayed. “Islam, the Qur’an and the Arabic Literature.” Al-Islam.
Christian rituals. “Christian Rituals and Practices.” Religion Facts, n.d.
History of Judaism. “History of Judaism.”Religion Facts, n.d.
Hayes, Holly. “Karbala, Karbala.” Sacred Destinations, 2009.
Hayes, Holly. “Karbala, Karbala.” Sacred Destinations, 2009.
Hayes, Holly. “Karbala, Karbala.” Sacred Destinations, 2009.
Werblowsky, Zwi. n.d. The Meaning of Jerusalem to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Christian Action for Israel, n.d.

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