Algerians practice Shia rituals on Achoura Day

Some families seized the opportunity of celebrating Achoura Day to exercise rituals and traditions inherited generation by generation. They are not aware that some of those rituals are inspired from Jewish and Shia beliefs.

Achoura Day has a sacred character for Muslims. Rich people pay Zakat on this day and others organized dinners for family and friends. 

Achoura is the day when Allah Almighty saved prophet Moussa (Peace Be Upon Him) and his people from Pharaoh.

Facebook users called for stopping Achoura-related rituals as they were not practiced by Prophet Mohamed (Peace Be Upon Him). They are similar to Shias and Jews’ traditions as the Day is sacred for them as well.

Prophet Mohamed (Peace Be Upon Him) ordered on this day and advised Muslims to fast it as well. Yet, he ordered not to follow Jews by fasting the ninth and tenth or tenth and eleventh day of Muharram.

Some people in some provinces in Algeria sparkled water on their body, properties, harvests and lands on Achoura Day as a ritual. This is a Jewish tradition as Jews believe that water is the power that saved them from Pharaoh. Most of Algerians who practice this old tradition do not know about its truth.

Others put Khol (traditional hand-made eyeliner) on Achoura Day to avoid eye disease. They also put Henné and have a bath as they believe it would save them from diseases during the whole year.

People also buy a lot of food and cakes on that day. Women cut a piece of their hair shortly before Maghreb prayer.