HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Grand majalis al-aza attended by hundreds of thousands of Husseini mourners were held in all countries on Layla-tol Wahsha also known as Sham-e-Ghariban in commemoration of great sufferings of holy Progeny of Holy Prophet (p) in the scorching plain of Karbala some 1,400 years ago.

Layla-tol Wahsha marks the night that came after the unjust slaughter of Imam Hussein (p) along with his 72 faithful companions. After the martyrdom of Chief of Martyrs Imam Hussein (p), the Yazidi army torched the tents of daughters of Holy Prophet (p), looted the tents and beheaded all martyrs. Zainab Al-Kobra (p), granddaughter of Prophet (p) and daughter of Ali (p) and Batool (p), took the charge of guarding other chaste ladies and little children of Holy Prophet (p)’s family throughout the night.

These majalis were held at culmination of Asura processions at the holy shrines, tombs, mosques, husseiniyaat, ma’atam, aza-khanas, imambargahs, imambadas and Islamic centers.

The mourners lit the candles and offered their condolences on the sufferings of Saani Az-Zahra (p) whose addresses in the accent of Ali Al-Murtaza (p) in the streets and bazaars of Kufa and Shaam shattered the foundations of Yazidi palaces.

Dirges and elegies in commemoration of chained-Zainab Al-Kobra (p), who along with a number of chaste ladies and children of the holy family of Prophet Muhammad (p) was taken to Kufa and then Shaam as prisoner, were recited and matam (chest and head beating) was performed.