Thousands mark Ashura in Middle East
Reuters
2011-12-07
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Thousands of Shi'ite Muslims gather in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala to mark the festival of Ashura.
Ashura is the biggest event in the Shi'ite Muslim calendar, and Karbala is the centre of the commemoration.
It marks the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, in the battle of Karbala in Iraq in the year 680.
In Iran, a country with a majority Shi'ite population, mourners gathered in the city of Bam and elsewhere for the customary ritual of self-flagellation.
The thousands of black-clad religious followers beat their backs in time with small flails.
Prayers in Bushehr were also featured on Iranian state television.
Ashura this year has been marred by sectarian attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Thousands of Shi'ite Muslims gather in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala to mark the festival of Ashura.
Ashura is the biggest event in the Shi'ite Muslim calendar, and Karbala is the centre of the commemoration.
It marks the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, in the battle of Karbala in Iraq in the year 680.
In Iran, a country with a majority Shi'ite population, mourners gathered in the city of Bam and elsewhere for the customary ritual of self-flagellation.
The thousands of black-clad religious followers beat their backs in time with small flails.
Prayers in Bushehr were also featured on Iranian state television.
Ashura this year has been marred by sectarian attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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