Grief covers Karbala and other holy cities

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Commemoration and observation of Sha’a’er Al-Husseiniyah is touching height day after day across the country particularly in the holy cities of Najaf, Karbala, Kazemiyah and Samra which soil is honored to host the holy shrines of infallible Imams from the progeny of Chief of Prophets, Prophet Muhammad bin Abdullah (p).

Men, women, little kids while wearing black mourning dresses, beating their chests, backs and heads in grief over the sufferings of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) and shedding tears attend grand mourning processions which after passing through the streets of holy cities culminate at the holy shrines offering condolences to the infallible imams (p) on the unjust slaughter of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) which had caused the sky to rain blood and earth to bleed.

The drums are beaten, cymbals are struck and horns are blown as a display of grief. Majales al-azaa are also held under the arrangements of various organizations and offices of Marajay.

Husseini commemoration was banned during the 35-year period of ousted despot Saddam.

Meanwhile, as Iraqi government has announced to close its land borders to try to prevent a flood of foreign pilgrims arriving for Ashura as part of security measures, hundreds of thousands of mourners and devotees were stopped on the borders.

Holding big banners and grand flags inscribed with statements by Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) as well as ‘Ya Hussein’, thousands of caravans from across the country have reached the holy city of Karbala where the tragic event took place in 61 AH and today which houses the holy shrines of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) and his brother and commander of his army Al-Abbas (p).

Tops of buildings, mosques, husseiniyaat and shopping centers were covered with black, while special tents and camps have been set up at the roads which lead to the holy Husseini and Abbasi Mausoleums to facilitate mourning devotees.

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