Shafaq News
Millions ofMuslims around the world are commemorating Ashura on Sunday, marking the 10thday of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.
The day holds profound religious andhistorical importance, especially for Shia Muslims, who mourn the martyrdom ofImam Hussein Bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Battle ofKarbala over 1,1400 years ago. Observances are underway across the Middle East,South Asia, and the global diaspora, with mass processions, religiousgatherings, and acts of charity.
The largestAshura gathering is taking place in Iraq, where more than 20 million pilgrimsare converging on the holy city of Karbala. The city, home to Imam Hussein’sshrine, has become the epicenter of global Ashura commemorations. Worshippersfrom across Iraq and other countries are taking part in large-scale mourningrituals—chest-beating, eulogy recitations, and processions—as they walk fordays or even weeks to reach the shrine.
Roadsleading to Karbala are lined with tents and stalls offering free meals, water,and medical services in a massive display of communal generosity and faith.
Despite theheat and logistical challenges, pilgrims continue to arrive in staggeringnumbers, turning Karbala into one of the world’s largest annual religiousgatherings. Iraqi authorities have deployed thousands of security personnel andmedical teams to manage the crowds and ensure public safety.
Iran HostsMillions in Ritual Mourning
In Iran,millions are also observing Ashura with solemn rituals across cities and towns.Major religious hubs such as Mashhad and Qom are drawing vast numbers ofparticipants. Ceremonies include latmiyat (chest-beating), Noha recitations(mourning poetry), and Ta’zieh—dramatic reenactments of the events of Karbala.National television channels are broadcasting the commemorations live, andblack banners and flags hang from streets and balconies throughout the country.
بالصور والأفلام.. ايران تكتسي بالسواد في ذكرى تاسوعاء الحسيني t.co/j2DkrNSP7V pic.twitter.com/ciLharXB0g
— وكالة مهر للأنباء (@mehrnewsarabic) July 5, 2025Commemorationsin Lebanon, Bahrain, and Beyond
In Lebanon,Ashura is being marked with major public processions, particularly in Beirut’ssouthern suburbs (Dahiyeh) and other Shia-populated regions. Organized groupsknown as Mowkebs are lining the streets, offering food, drinks, and symbolicservices to mourners. This year’s ceremonies carry particular emotional weight,with participants linking the tragedy of Karbala to contemporary losses inregional conflicts.
المسيرة العاشورائية المركزية في الضاحية الجنوبية لبيروت pic.twitter.com/wwttIimKMk
— قناة المنار (@TVManar1) July 6, 2025Bahrain,where Ashura holds deep significance for the local Shia community, has declareda two-day public holiday to allow full participation in religious activities.Processions are taking place in towns and villages across the country, withparticipants dressed in black and marching to rhythmic chants.
DiasporaCommunities Mark Ashura Globally
Shia Muslimcommunities in Western countries are also holding commemorations, despiteAshura not being recognized as a public holiday. In the United States, majorJuloos (processions) are underway in cities such as New York, Chicago, Houston,Dearborn, and Los Angeles. These events include public sermons, mourningrituals, and food distribution.
AcrossEurope, from London to Berlin, Shia organizations are hosting majalis (mourningassemblies), charity drives, and educational programs to share the story andlessons of Karbala with younger generations and the broader public.
SunnisCommemorate Ashura
While Ashurais most widely observed among Shia Muslims, many Sunni Muslims also recognizeits significance. For Sunnis, the day is often marked by voluntary fasting andprayer, commemorating earlier events of divine deliverance described in Islamictradition.
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