Islamic World Commemorates the Martyrdom of Imam Hussein on Ashura Day

Millions of Muslims commemorated the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his 72 companions in the different regions of the world by holding mourning ceremonies and rallies, reciting chants and elegies to pay homage to the Prophet's grandson and his household. 

Ashoura marks the martyrdom of Shiite Imam Hussein bin Ali, the grandson of the Muslim prophet Muhammad's grandson, who was killed in a battle 1400 years ago in the Iraqi city of Karbala.

In Iraq, the Holy city of Karbala hosted huge rallies that are expected to reach the climax on Friday, amid tight security measures. Black flags, representing the sadness of Shiites during Ashura, and pictures of the revered Imams Hussein and Abbas, both of whom are buried in Karbala, were seen throughout the city. Old and young, women and men, all seen in black and arriving on foot to visit Imam Hussein's shrine and pay him homage. By Friday, some two million followers are expected to be in Karbala, including around 100,000 foreigners.

Security authorities declared strict measures to limit the attacks expected to target the visitors during their Ashura commemoration.

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, rallies and mourning ceremonies continue in the different cities and provinces that began since the 1st of Muharram.

Since the early morning on Thursday, rallies took part in the different regions of the Iranian capital Tehran with tens of thousands of participants. Also Mashhad and Qom cities choked with similar rallies, and people poured into mosques to listen to lamentation poetry for Imam Hussein. In the same context, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the commemoration ceremony in the shrines of Hamza son of Imam Moussa Al Kazim and Sayyed Taher, who are both the grandchildren of Imam Hussein.

Also the shrines of the blessed Imams in the cities of Qom and Shiraz witnessed ceremonies of lamentation and grief over the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.

Muslims in Syria also took part in commemoration of the anniversary. They attended lectures and religious epic theatre, especially in the Sayyida Zeinab shrine, sister of Imam Hussein who continued what her martyred brother started.

Gulf Countries had their share of ceremonies as well. In Bahrain, the villages and cities wore black by the arrival of Ashura day. Lamentation poetry, lectures, and other rituals were held to pay homage to Imam Hussein. 

The mosques and religious clubs received tens of thousands of mourners, whether locals or foreigners. It is estimated that more approximately 200 thousand mourners came to the Bahraini capital Manama to pay tribute and participate in the ceremonies. 

Moreover, more than two million Shiites commemorated the memory in Saudi Arabia through holding rallies and a series of religious, cultural and social activities.
Also, the cities of Katif, Ahsaa, and Medina closed the doors of its shops and schools since the beginning of the week. Also pageants and religious epic theatres were performed to represent the tragedy. Meanwhile, Saudi Shiites suffer of media blackout, as media sets a blind eye to the ceremonies in order to belittle the event.

Turkey, on its part, and for the first time witnesses the participation of its Prime Minister Recep Teyyip Erdogan and a number of members of parliament in the ceremonies of Ashura day. Hundreds of thousands of the prophet's household lovers participated in the ceremonies.

Pakistan is deploying tens of thousands of paramilitary soldiers and police ahead of a religious festival that could be a major security test for authorities struggling to contain militant violence. Many of Pakistan's minority Shi'ite Muslims, who make up 15 percent of the population, will be vulnerable to suicide bombings when they stage large rallies Friday to mark Ashura, the biggest event in their calendar.

Also, the painful memory was commemorated in Afghanistan, Tajikistan,Turkmanistan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Thailand, and the Gulf countries.
Also, Muslims commemorated the event in the different Western countries whether in Europe, Americas or Australia.

A FEW PHOTOS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES ON ASHURA DAY