Saudi Arabia: Ashura commemorated with veneration

By: Abdulali

AL-QATIF, Saudi Arabia: Ashura was observed with due veneration and reverence in eastern part of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday with holding hosayni mourning sittings and grand processions.

In commemoration of incomparable sacrifices rendered by Martyrs of Karbala, over 1,000 Majalis al-Azaiyah of men, women and children were held at Mosques, Hosaynyaat and homes in Shiite-dominant eastern cities of the kingdom: Al-Qatif, Al-Ehsa and Sehat.

Thousands of local people as well as mourners from nearby areas Damam, Khubar and Jabayl attended the mourning programs.

First time with greater freedom, thousands of mourners took to streets of Sehat city that is near to Dhuran on early Tuesday marking Ashura, the day when the grandson of holy Prophet Muhammad (p), Al-Imam Al-Hosayn (p) was martyred in 61 A.H. in the burning desert of Karbala along with his 72 companions for the sake of Islam at the hands of Yazid bin Moaviyah (c).

They chanted dirges and beat their chests. The mourners also slashed their heads with swords causing their blood to flow paying rich homage to the Master of Martyrs Al-Imam Al-Hosayn (p).

Similar processions were also held in seven other cities.

In Safwa city, the majalis and mawakib, or mourning processions, severely condemned attacks on the holy cities of Karbala and Kazemiyah.

Sheikh Ali Abdel Karim Al-Isa recited the martyrdom at Al-Imam Al-Hasan (p) Mosque followed by a mourning procession.

In Tarout, Mawkab Az-Zaynabi, or the Zaynabi Procession was taken out with a large number of mourners participated.

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