Millions of Shia Muslims mark Tasu'a across world

EghtesadOnline: Millions of Shia Muslims in Iran and other Islamic countries have poured to the streets, mosques and other religious centers to mark the ninth day the lunar month of Muharram calld Tasu'a.

News ID: ۷۷۰۳۰۱

11 October 2016

Black-clad mourners have taken to the streets across Iran to take part in the ceremonies of Tasu’a, an important religious holiday in Iran.

During the ceremonies, eulogies are recited and sermons delivered in honor of one of the sacred figures of Shia Islam and his 72 companions, reports IRNA.

Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his companions were martyred in the Battle of Karbala, in southern Iraq, in 680 AD after fighting courageously for justice against the much larger army of the Umayyad caliph, Yazid I, which some historians estimate to have been some 100,000-strong.

Mourning processions are also underway in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kuwait as well as Lebanon. Similar ceremonies will be staged in Europe, America and Africa later in the day.

Muharram ceremonies represent the never-ending and unswerving stance of truth against mendacity and the humanity’s struggle against tyranny, the cause for which Imam Hussein sacrificed his life.

Imam Hussein and his companions were martyred on Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, which falls on October 12 this year.