Poster, paper with printed design in coloured ink, Ali, Hassan and Husayn about to enter the mosque at Kufa, Iran, ca. 1990.

Poster, paper with printed design in coloured ink. The scene depicts Ali, Husayn and Hassan standing in the arcade of a mosque courtyard. The three men all wear green head coverings and robes; Ali in the centre in white, to his left Hassan in brown and blue and to his right Husayn in brown. Ali has a zulfiqar (double pointed sword) in a green scabbard hanging from his waist. At the men's feet are four crying ducks. The floor of the arcade is paved with grey stone and in the distance, the roof of a mosque is visible. The image is surrounded by a thin green line on a white border.

Given by Dr Patricia L. Baker

This poster is typical of Shi'ia religious posters from Iran. It depicts Imam Ali and his two sons Hassan and Husayn, shortly before Ali was killed inside the mosque at Kufa in Iraq. Before Ali entered some ducks tried to block his path, however Ali passed through and was later killed. Shi'ia Muslims believe Ali was the only rightful successor to lead the Muslim people after Muhammad's death in 632AD. They commemorate his life through posters such as this one.

ME.19-2011