Millions of ‘Azadaran’ gather in Karbala to mark Ashura ritual in Iraq

KARBALA (92 News) - Millions of ‘Azadaran’ gathered at shrines and mosques in Karbala and other parts of Iraq to mark the climax of the annual ritual of Ashura with expressions of suffering. The huge crowds came from all over the world to commemorate the slaying of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Ashura is the 10th day of the lunar month of Muharram when according to Islamic tradition Imam Hussein was killed in battle in 680. It is observed in Iraq and in other countries including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Syria with religious solemnity and reverence. On the first day of Muharram, the army of Caliph Yazid laid siege to Hussein and followers in the desert near Karbala. Hussein was killed in battle 10 days later after he had refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid. Hussein was decapitated and his head was taken to Damascus, the seat of the Ummayad dynasty to which Yazid belonged.