Chained-coffin marches mark Imam Kazem (p) M-day in Iraq

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF KAZEMIYAH, Iraq: Tens of thousands of devotees streamed into the holy city of Kazemiyah, neighborhood of Baghdad, to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Al-Imam Mousa bin Ja’far Al-Kazem (pbuh), the grandsons of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp), on 25 Rajab, Saturday, 11 September.

The devotees and mourners from across Iraq began thronging in Kazemiyah – home to the holy shrines of Al-Imam Mousa Al-Kazem (pbuh) and his grandson Al-Imam Muhammad Taqi Al-Jawwad (pbuh) – on 24 Rajab, eve of the martyrdom anniversary.

Such ceremonies were banned in the era of ousted worst despot Saddam.

Security was beefed up as all main paths leading to the holy mausoleum were blocked, and security guards and police allowed people to go into the shrine area after checking them.

At the thoroughfare leading to the holy shrine of Al-Imam Al-Kazem (pbuh), tents were setup while red black and green standards were hoisted at houses, buildings and shopping centers to mark the occasion.

To facilitate the mourners, little children were distributing water, tea and other different kinds of drinks while men were busy in preparing food on wood fire on road sides.

The grieved mourners while carrying the coffin of the Imam (pbuh) marched through the streets outside the Kazemiyah Shrine. They chanted dirges and elegies while weeping, shedding tears and pounding their chests and heads. Afterward, they entered the holy shrine where one could hear only sighs and cries; atmosphere was deeply sad.

In the southern city of Basra which is Iraq’s second largest city, thousands of mourners took to the streets to commemorate the Martyrdom of Al-Imam Al-Kazem (pbuh).

Carrying symbolic chained coffin of the holy Imam (pbuh) who was martyred by poison in imprisonment of Harun ar-Rashid as a punishment for his truthfulness and protecting the pious Divine Mission, the mourners performed head and chest beating.

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