Mass Mourning Ceremony Held on Eve of Ashura in Karbala (+Photos)
According to Iraq’s official news agency, massive crowds of mourners from across Iraqi provinces and numerous countries around the world took part in the mourning rituals held at the holy shrines of Imam Hussein (AS) and his half-brother, Abbas ibn Ali (AS), in Karbala on Saturday night.
The event marked the eve of Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS)—the grandson of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)—and his companions in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
The rituals included traditional mourning chants and candlelit vigils, as participants honored the memory of the martyrs of the plains of Karbala.
“A large number of mourners and devotees of Imam Hussein (AS) lit candles to remember the martyrs of the land of Naynawa,” the agency reported, referring to the historical name of the Karbala region.
Iraq’s Ministry of Interior reported Sunday that more than 1.176 million pilgrims have entered the country since the beginning of Muharram. In a press conference, Colonel Abbas al-Bahadli, spokesperson for the ministry, added that over 1 million visitors had also departed Iraq during the same period.
Al-Bahadli stated that 833 moukebs had been officially registered in Karbala for the Ashura observance, including 10 moukebs from outside Iraq. These centers provide services such as food, water, and accommodation to pilgrims.
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He also noted that Iraq’s Civil Defense Directorate has deployed units throughout the old quarters of Karbala to ensure rapid emergency response in the event of incidents such as fires.
The Ashura pilgrimage is one of the most significant annual events for Shia Muslims worldwide, drawing millions of visitors each year to the shrine of Imam Hussein (AS), who is revered as a symbol of resistance against injustice.
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