Ashura is a commemoration of the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Mohammed, the prophet of Islam, who was killed in the deserts of Karbala over 1,300 years ago. Shiite Muslims mourn his death every year on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Hijri calendar.
Men, women, and children of all ages take part in various activities to remind themselves of the sacrifice made by Imam Hussein, including lamenting and beating their chests or backs.
“I hit myself with a chain for Hussein. He gives me health, covers me and my family. He gives me more health than before when I was sick,” Hassan Haidar, a 12-year-old boy, told Rudaw’s Haidar Doski.
The shrine of Imam Hussein is located in Karbala and that of his father Imam Ali is in nearby Najaf. For Shiite Muslims, visiting Karbala during Ashura is as important as the pilgrimage to Mecca. Visitors to Karbala wear black as a sign of mourning.
The annual tradition of mourning for the death of Imam Hussein is passed down from one generation to the next.
“Since we were children, our relatives taught us this and brought us to visit [Karbala]. We always walked in the parades. Now they are old and we are bringing them here,” said teenager Abbas Said Shakir.
Muslims of the Shiite faith travel thousands of miles to be in Karbala and see the Imam’s shrine. Muslims from countries such as India, Pakistan, and Iran can be seen mourning among the natives of the city.
“I’m a retired teacher. After retirement, I have come to visit Imam Ali. I have done all my rituals. It is great for me that I have come here,” Khulam Raza, a 67-year-old man from Pakistan, told Rudaw.
According to Karbala officials, over six million people visited the city last year.
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