ayyub

thank you both...unfortunately my situation now turns out that I cannot travel...I am new to Shi'a so I wonder are there other occasions on which zanjir is performed? I think I remember reading that it was done for Imam Ridha (as) in Iran. Insha'Allah I hope there is another chance before next year. thank you again for your help

as salaamu alaikum, my community does not do the zanjir but I would like to...is there anywhere in NY, PA or ONT that does the zanjir? thank you ayyub

salams and thanks to everyone for your continued positive response and assistance... my family has been nothing but positive towards my original acceptance of Islam in 1994. my mother was actually the one to drive me over an hour to the masjid for my first shahadah and many Friday trips after that. most non-Muslims I know really don't have the knowledge of Sunni/Shia for it to really make a difference which way I go in that regard. btw, what are masomeens and nabeyeens?

thank you everyone for your kind words and help, I definitely got a lot out of it. I have been moved by my reading about the Shia but I am now more interested in contact with people. one thing I am curious about is the practice of mataam. I want to participate someday but I do not know much about it. I really wish Muharram would come soon insha'Allah, I am eager to experience it.

salams, I was raised Roman Catholic but embraced Islam as a Sunni at the age of sixteen...I devoted myself to study of Islam with the help of my imams but the whole time I was sheltered from the Shia side of things...until on my own I began reading about Imam Husain (as) and all that happened at Karbala...I have been moved to embrace the Shia perspective...but I am looking for a community. I am in Buffalo, NY...are there any Shias in this area? I am roughly two hours from Toronto and eight hours from NYC...I want to learn more about Shia and spend time surrounded in a Shia environment and eventually take part in muharram celebrations...I am also looking for resources, i.e. are there any means by which I can obtain a turba from Karbala? I appreciate any and all replies. thank you and salams