What is the origin of the ritual of Ashura? (part 4)

I am already half-way through the paper.

On page 9 the author mentioned that he believe that the visitation to the tomb of Imam Husayn (as) served the following two purpose
- Renew the covenant between the believer and the Imam
- The educational aspect

He also cited another work entitled The role of the Holy sites in shaping the collective memory of religious groups. He then said that the focus to the Shrine in Karbala is directly challenging the position of Mecca!

I am not sure why he made such statement. Imam Husayn (as) is not just a Shia personality but also the grandson of the Prophet. Every Muslim sects recognize him and his brother as the true Muslim leader, if not in dunya (the world), then in akhira (hereafter). So it shouldn't surprise anyone that the place of his death, the site of the battle of Karbala is a pilgrimage site. Just because many people (Shias) flock to the shrine city doesn't automatically mean that they will not perform the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) in the future. Hajj is among the most important religious obligation for Sunnis and also Shias who are capable to perform it. Many people go to Karbala after completing their Hajj. For many Iraqi Shias, the visitation to the site is only a few hours away. And for many Iranians, the trip to Karbala can be made in a comfortable air-conditioned buses (nowadays).

The next ritual is the the public mourning processions. The author believed this ritual was reinstated under the Buyid dynasty in Baghdad (year 945-1055). He then described the diversity in public procession (from one place to another). Also worthy of a mention here is the fact that the Muharram procession incorporate the traditional ways of mourning for the Arabs.

The processions incorporated acts of breastbeating and face-slapping (latm), a traditional form of mourning for the dead among the Arabs even before the appearance of Islam.

The next ritual is the Karbala play or re-enactment of the battle of Karbala on the stage or arena. The author stated that

The establishment of Safavid Iran (1501-1722) led to the development of a new ritual, the shabih, i.e., the representation of the battle of Karbala in the form of a carnival-play.

Please continue reading part 5.