Holy Shrines Prepare for Muharram Mourning Season in Iraq and Syria
Holy shrines in Kadhimiya, Karbala and Damascus have begun extensive preparations to receive mourners for Muharram.
More details in the following report:
Major Shia holy shrines in Iraq and Syria have begun preparations for the month of Muharram, with maintenance, cleaning, black draping and service arrangements under way to receive millions of mourners commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him.
In Baghdad’s Kadhimiya, the Al-Kadhimiya Holy Shrine announced the completion of periodic maintenance, cleaning and polishing work on the holy grille of Imams Musa al-Kadhim and Muhammad al-Jawad, peace be upon them. The work included restoration and oxidation removal on the gold and silver sections, under the supervision of the shrine’s engineering department.
In Karbala, the Imam Hussein Holy Shrine began preparing its courtyards and routes for the Ashura mourning ceremonies, including the traditional Tatbir processions and the Tuwairij Run. The shrine carries out annual service measures such as covering routes with soft soil and sand and securing entry and exit gates to reduce risks during heavy crowd movement.
The Imam Hussein shrine also witnessed the washing and dusting of the holy dome, a traditional ceremony held before the replacement of the red flag with the black flag of mourning on the first night of Muharram. The courtyard has also begun to be covered with red carpets ahead of the arrival of mourning processions and pilgrims.
At the Al-Abbas Holy Shrine, black banners and mourning cloths bearing the names of the martyrs of Karbala have been installed across the courtyards and halls of the shrine of Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas, peace be upon him. These preparations precede the annual flag-changing ceremony marking the official start of the mourning season.
In Damascus, the shrine of Sayyida Zainab, peace be upon her, has also been prepared for Muharram, with black flags and banners installed across the holy sanctuary. Devotees have taken part in cleaning and decorating the shrine as it prepares to host mourning gatherings, congregational prayers and religious processions throughout the month.
