The symbols that herald the arrival of Muharram
In the downtown area of Rawalpindi, black Alams flutter from the rooftops of houses and shops, a symbol of the Battle of Karbala that is commemorated in Muharram.
With the start of the month, sales of such items increase in the city, and craftsmen in the old bazaar from Purana Qila to Sarafa Bazaar work day and night to meet the demand.
The art of making such symbols is an old one in South Asia, and flourished particularly under Mughal rule. In Rawalpindi, shops that deal in items of such significance have been around for 80 to 100 years.
Their products include Alams, Punjas, swings, cradles, fabric plaques and more. The Alam, which is the Arabic word for ‘flag’, commemorates the Alam Bardar (flag carrier) Hazrat Abbas, the son of Hazrat Ali who died at Karbala. Black Alams signify mourning, while red Alams are installed on the shrine of Imam Hussain.