.27Alam as flag or sign Alam

shia muslims take out alam procession on day of ashura in barabanki, india, jan, 2009.

alam means flag or sign in arabic. in egypt, may refer stone heap set mark path in desert.

alam of spiritual significance twelver shia muslims. though shias including of iraq, iran, afghanistan, lebanon, azerbaijan, turkey, bahrain, saudi arabia, , syria carry alams in processions in ashura, ones in india , pakistan of different kind , have more of spiritual significance. alam panja on top of considered religious flag of islam, , said carried muhammad, ali , abbas ibn ali during battles or expeditions. battle of karbala further glorifies importance. alam seen during muharram processions , @ designated sites in shia mosques.

historically, muhammad s family had unique flag represented bani hashim clan in specific. 1 honorable member of family chosen carry representation others. earlier green in color , given first imam ali ibn abi talib muhammad himself, ali ibn abi talib gave alam son al abbas ibn ali held alam till last breath in battle of karbala. after event of karbala, alams during azadari procession colored black or red.

it thought have been black drape on wooden pole emblem on top. alams of india , pakistan have 1 long wooden pole mounted silver or metal panja (meaning claw or palm of hand). alam seen during muharram processions , @ designated sites in shia mosques today. though there sufi shrines or mausoleums of pirs still have decorated alams in muharram in such cities karachi , mumbai, practice being performed people other shia muslims has subsided on last 2 decades out of fears of attacks wahhabis. example of people still practice hosay or multicultural event on tenth of muharram , carry alams can found in trinidad , tobago. these indians left india @ time when pir system still in effect , cross cultural event still practiced without persecution.

the practice of taking out alam procession during holy month of moharram or festival season prevalent in india , pakistan when hundreds of thousands of people come out on streets holding alam in hands. alams taken out during celebration green in color , ones taken out during mourning procession either black or red in color, black signifies grief while red reminds of revenge martyrs of karbala still remaining. alams in india , pakistan more 20 feet in length.

people hold these alams referred alamdars (the flag bearers).

alam flag of mughal empire.