Holy Karbala Witnesses Mass Mourning Ceremony on Eve of Ashura

Holy Karbala Witnesses Mass Mourning Ceremony on Eve of Ashura
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Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Karbala, Iraq, on the eve of Ashura to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), marking one of the largest religious observances in the Islamic calendar, Iqna news agency reported. The event took place on Saturday night at the holy shrines of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) and his loyal brother Abbas ibn Ali (peace be upon them both).

Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, honors the unprecedented sacrifice of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure family), and his companions during the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.

The rituals included traditional mourning chants and candlelit vigils, with many participants lighting candles to remember the martyrs of Karbala, historically known as Naynawa.

According to Iraq’s Ministry of Interior, more than 1.176 million pilgrims have entered Iraq since the beginning of Muharram, while over 1 million visitors have departed during the same period. Colonel Abbas al-Bahadli, ministry spokesperson, reported that 833 moukebs (service centers) were officially registered in Karbala for Ashura, including 10 from outside Iraq. These moukebs provide essential services such as food, water, and accommodation to pilgrims.

To ensure safety, Iraq’s Civil Defense Directorate deployed units throughout Karbala’s old quarters for rapid emergency response, including fire prevention. The Ashura pilgrimage remains a vital event for Shia Muslims worldwide, symbolizing resistance against injustice and drawing millions annually to Imam Hussein’s shrine (peace be upon him).