HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: To commemorate the supreme sacrifice of Chief of Prophets Muhammad Al-Mostafa (p)’s grandson Al-Imam Abi Abdellah Al-Husayn (p) rendered for defense of Shariah and safety of human values in the burning desert of Karbala, hundreds of thousands of mourning devotees have been arriving in the holy city.

They arrive in Karbala from across the country and some neighboring countries on foot or by bus, some bare-footed, some alone while some others in caravans, carrying black banners as a sign of mourning for the death of Husayn (p).

Local residents are ready to welcome them by setting up tikyas, square wooden kiosks draped in black, where the weary pilgrims can stop to eat and drink before setting off again.

Daily mourning processions attended by thousands of mourners move through the holy city culminating at the holy Husayni and Abbasi shrines.

At the same time loudspeakers retell the story of the 680 AD battle against the soldiers of the Umayyad caliph Yazid that unjustly martyred Husayn (p).

This year’s Ashura falls on January 30 when several million mourners are expected to commemorate the occasion at Mashhad Al-Husayn (p), the holy Husayni shrine, by shedding their blood from heads and chests with sords and knives to signify their deep grief over the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (p).