Honouring Iraq’s Spirit: Muharram in London 2025

On Wednesday the 3^rd of July, the streets of London caught a glimpse into the hospitality of the Iraqi people.

Hot meals, fresh fruits and cold beverages to tackle the heat were among the many things served to anyone passing by the Mawkab. Alongside the food, a paper was also handed out with the title “Who is Imam Al Hussein?”, with the intentions of educating non-Muslims on these cultural traditions.

Imam Al Hussein is a prominent figure in Shia Islam, and in keeping with his teachings, many Shia Muslims make annual efforts to follow his footsteps however possible, in this case through community outreach.

This event is part of an ongoing, larger event with cultural and religious significance for Shia Muslims during the Islamic month of Muharram. The first ten days are considered the most important.
Made possible by the courtesy of Brent Council, events such as this showcase the melting pot of communities in cities such as London.

The Iraqi community presented a united front, each bringing a variety of food to serve and helping one another to prepare the food. Children from as young as 5 helped the Mawkabs by giving out the food and inviting people from different backgrounds and religion to eat with them.

However, this does not come as a surprise to many, as the identity of the Iraqi people as seen on Wednesday have embodied the moral values of helping one another and bringing a sense of unity from the teachings of the Tragedy of Karbala.

Hospitality is one of many values the Iraqi community in London portrayed on Wednesday, with many of the younger generation proudly participating in helping out the Iraqi Mawkabs, when asked “what is the cultural significance of events such as this in London” Mohammed Hammoud,  a member of the Zayer Charity Organisation said “The message of why we are here is to give back to the community and help out”, with another member of Zayer Charity Organisation, Reina Mazeh, saying that “It is an honour for me and for my charity to spread the message”. The inspirational words said by both members of the Zayer charity organisation shows the feeling of honour the Iraqi community embody, spending 6 hours a day from 11am to 5pm serving free food to anyone walking by.

On Wednesday the Iraqi community portrayed a sense of resilience to continue the event every day for ten days. Their commitment to continuing events such as these shows a deeper-rooted connection to Iraqi hospitality and culture.

Although the event has a tragic significance for the Shia community, who are mourning the events of Karbala, the Iraqi community displayed their warmth and pride in showcasing their culture and traditions to the people of London – giving the British public a taste of Iraq.