HOLY CITY OF Karbala, Iraq: Whole Iraq and particularly the holy city of Karbala has put on black dress, mourning standards have been placed high, and pavilions and tents have been set up in reception of Moharram which marks the martyrdom of Al-Imam Abi Abdellah Al-Hussein (p) some 14 centuries ago in the scorching desert of Karbala.

Security has been beefed up in the country.

Majales Al-Azaa began at the holy shrines of Al-Imam Ali (p), Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p), Al-Abbas (p), Al-Imam Al-Kazem (p), Al-Imam Al-Jawwad (p), Al-Imam Al-Askary (p) and Al-Imam Al-Hadi (p) in the holy cities of Najaf, Karbala, Kazemiya and Samarra as well as at husseiniyaat, mosques and offices of Grand Marajay from the eve of Moharram.

Drums were beaten as a sign of mourning. Huge banners inscribed with sayings of holy Prophet (p) on the high status of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) are seen hanging at the shrines, mosques, husseiniyaat, buildings and streets.

Black cloths were draped over the minarets of the holy shrines and walls of husseiniyaat to mark universal mourning which is observed to commemorate the unparallel sacrifice of Holy Prophet Muhammad (p)’s grandson Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) presented for defense of religion and shariah and protection of human dignity. The mourning is still fresh even after passing of 1,400 years.