Tragedy of Karbala mourning ceremonies held worldwide

Mourning ceremonies and rituals have been held worldwide on Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hossein (AS).

Ashura marks the anniversary of the tragic event, in which the Imam (AS), the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBHU) was martyred along with dozens of his companions in 680 AD in Karbala, modern Iraq, as they withstood the tyranny of YAzid, the cruel ruler of the time and refused to pledge allegiance to his practices.

On the day of Ashura, which ends a 10-day period commemorating the event, millions of Muslims across Iran marched in rituals on the streets, beating chests and morning in black suits.

In the Iraqi city of Karbala, where the holy shrine of the Imam is located, more than 3 million people gathered in Beyn-ol-Haramayn (between two shrines) for the rituals. The pilgrims came from many countries, including Iran, Pakistan, Lebanon, India, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan, among others.

The largest gathering was held in the holy shrine premises, as large-scale mourning ceremonies were held simultaneously in many other cities and countries worldwide, including in North America and Europe.

The Battle of Karbala between a small group of supporters and relatives of Imam Hussein and a larger military detachment from the forces of the Umayyad caliph represents the war as one between good and evil.

MF/MF