DEARBORN, The United States: Marking Arba’een - the 40th day after the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussein (AS) -, Husseini mourners on February 7 held a mourning procession through east Dearborn.

Waving huge flags (alam of Hazrat Abbas (AS)), the crowd walked from the Karbalaa Islamic Educational Center in Dearborn to Hemlock Park, where they recited elegiac poetry in support of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Islam's prophet.

Shia Muslims across metro Detroit held Arba'een ceremonies this weekend in local mosques and husseiniaat to remember the unjust killing of Hazrat Imam Hussein (AS).

"He died, but his mission is still alive," Imam Husham Al-Husainy, head of the Karbalaa center in Dearborn, said of Imam Hussein. "He represents the truth, he represents the freedom...the real faith in God."

The majority of the crowd was Iraqi-American, but also included Shia participants with roots in Lebanon, India, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. They came from across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Canada, organizers said.

Dearborn Police did not have a crowd estimate; organizers said about 5,000 participated in the rally.

The story of Imam Hussein resonates today for many Shia Muslims, who have been the target of violence in recent weeks. In Iraq, suicide bombers martyred pilgrims who had gathered in Karbalaa this month for Arba'een. Similar attacks took place in Pakistan.

"We will never live a life of injustice," said Mohammed Al-Najjar, 23, of Dearborn. "We will always strive for the rights of humanity. The uprising against Yazid was to uphold the human rights of the whole world...This is why we're all gathered here."

Al-Husainy said the message of Imam Hussein is relevant today.

"This is very much needed in Iraq today and elsewhere," Al-Husainy said. "Hold on to the truth. Don't compromise. God loves the truth, and God loves justice."