Alam - Al'am As Flag or Sign

Al'am As Flag or Sign

'Alam means "flag" or "sign" in Arabic. In Egypt, it may refer to a stone heap set up to mark a path in the desert.

'Alam is also of spiritual significance for the Twelver Shia Muslims. Though all Shias including those of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Syria carry 'Alams in their processions in Ashura, the ones in India and Pakistan are specifically of a different kind and have more of a spiritual significance. An Alam with a "Panja" on top of it is considered to be a religious flag of Islam, and it is said to be carried by the Prophet Muhammed, Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali during battles or expeditions. The battle of Karbala further glorifies its importance. An Alam is usually seen during Muharram processions and at designated sites in Shia Mosques.

Historically, the Prophet's family had a unique flag that represented the Bani Hashim clan in specific. One honorable member of the family would be chosen to carry this as a representation to others. Earlier it was green in color and was given to first Imam Ali ibn Abitalib by Prophet Mohammad himself, then Ali ibn Abitalib gave this Alam to his son Al Abbas ibn Ali who held this Alam till his last breath in the Battle of Karbala. After the event of Karbala, Alams during azadari procession are colored black or red.

It is thought to have been a black drape on a wooden pole with an emblem on the top. The Alams of India and Pakistan usually have one that is a long wooden pole mounted with a silver or metal "Panja" (meaning a claw or palm of your hand). An 'Alam is usually seen during Muharram Processions and at designated sites in Shia Mosques today. Though there are Sufi shrines or mausoleums of Pirs that still have decorated 'Alams in Muharram in such cities as Karachi and Mumbai, this practice being performed by people other than Shia Muslims has subsided over the last two decades out of fears of attacks by Wahhabis. An example of people who still practice "Hosay" or a multicultural event on the tenth of Muharram and carry 'Alams can be found in Trinidad and Tobago. These Indians left India at a time when the Pir system was still in effect and this cross cultural event was still practiced without persecution.

The practice of taking out Alam procession during the holy month of Moharram or any festival season is prevalent in India and Pakistan when hundreds of thousands of people come out on the streets holding the Alam in their hands. Alams taken out during celebration are usually green in color and the ones taken out during mourning procession are mostly either black or red in color, black signifies grief while red reminds of revenge for martyrs of Karbala still remaining. Alams in India and Pakistan are sometimes more than 20 feet in length.

People who hold these Alams are referred as Alamdars (the Flag Bearers).