Holy Najaf, Karbala witness flag-changing ceremony marking sorrowful arrival of Muharram

The Holy Shrine of Amir al-Momineen Imam Ali (peace be upon him) held a flag-changing ceremony to mark the beginning of the month of sorrow, the month of Muharram.

The event saw thousands of devoted believers gather in the premises of the Shrine, mourning the arrival of the month of lamentation for the tragedy of Karbala and expressing condolences to the Commander of the Faithful. The Shrine has been covered in black and features various banners of mourning, with some expressing the earnest call on Allah Almighty for the hastening of the Return of the Avenger of Ale Muhammad, peace be upon them.

Prior to that, the flag-changing ceremony took place in the holy city of Karbala at the holy shrines of Imam Hussein and Abalfazl al-Abbas (peace be upon them both). Millions of lovers of the Master of the Martyrs convened inside and in the vicinity of the Shrines as well as the sacred Bayn-ul-Haramayn passage to chant “Labbayka Ya Hussein,” expressing their deep sentiments for Aba Abdillah al-Hussein’s (peace be upon him) cause and legacy.

The ceremony was broadcast live by Imam Hussein Media Group on all its channels, featuring the hoisting of the black flag of mourning over the golden domes of Imam Hussein and his loyal brother al-Abbas, peace be upon them both.

It should be mentioned that thousands of Mawakib (service stations) have been set up in holy Karbala to serve the millions of pilgrims and visitors to the city during the sacred days of the holy month of Muharram.

Similar ceremonies were held in Kazimayn and Samerra to mark the beginning of the month of sorrow and lamentation over the sufferings and the injustices endured by Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).