Mass commemorations for the 10th of Muharram, known as Ashura, were held on Sunday across the globe. The day marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
Annual rituals, observed worldwide, pay tribute to Imam Hussein’s defiant stand against tyranny during the Battle of Karbala over 1,300 years ago. His revolt, which resulted in his martyrdom, has become a enduring symbol of unwavering justice and moral resistance against oppression. From Beirut to Kashmir, mourners today revived his memory through processions, sermons, and symbolic acts of grief, reflecting a profound spiritual and political legacy.
Iraq: Millions Gather in Holy Cities
In Iraq, considered the spiritual heartland of Ashura, massive crowds converged on the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf. According to Iraq’s Interior Ministry, over 1.17 million pilgrims have entered the sacred shrines since the beginning of Muharram. Karbala alone registered 833 mourning processions, including delegations from 10 foreign countries, highlighting the global significance of Imam Hussein’s sacrifice. Authorities deployed civil defense teams throughout the historic old city to manage the throngs of mourners filling the streets, many chanting the resonant cry: “Labayka ya Hussein!”—Here I am, O Hussein.
Mourners in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah gather en masse to mark Ashura with a solemn procession.
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Iran: Resistance Echoes Amidst Mourning
Cities and towns across Iran also witnessed extensive Ashura gatherings. This year, the ceremonies were noted to carry a deeper tone of resistance, particularly in the wake of recent Israeli aggression. The slogan for this year’s commemorations, “Iran of Hussein, victorious forever,” reportedly captured the belief that Imam Hussein’s path of justice ultimately leads to triumph.
Pakistan and Kashmir: Devotion and Navigating Repression
In Pakistan, tens of thousands participated in processions, including a major gathering at Karachi’s Nishter Park. Ashura events across the country were held under tight security. Meanwhile, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, where political repression is reported to be high, mourners observed the 9th of Muharram with unique floating processions on wooden boats across Dal Lake, described as an act of devotion navigating complex political waters.
Kashmiris attended a mourning ceremony on the eve of Ashura to commemorate Imam Hussein and his companions, who were tragically martyred in the Battle of Karbala.
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Connecting Across Continents
Communities across Europe, the US, Australia, and parts of Africa also marked Ashura with solemn processions, ‘majlis’ gatherings, and symbolic acts of mourning. From London to Dearborn, and Sydney to Johannesburg, mourners gathered in mosques and community centers, reciting elegies and reenacting the tragedy of Karbala. Despite being far from the shrines in Iraq, the spirit of Imam Hussein’s sacrifice resonated deeply, uniting believers in shared grief and commitment to justice. For many in the diaspora, Ashura served as both a spiritual anchor and a reaffirmation of resistance against oppression in its various forms.
Islamic Movement of Nigeria Mourns Imam Hussein
Danjuma Abdullahi reports from Abuja.
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These global commemorations underscore the resilience of communities worldwide, invoking Imam Hussein’s memory as a beacon of moral defiance.
Source: Agencies (edited and translated by Al-Manar English Website)
