AUCKLAND, New Zealand: Fatima Zahra Charitable Association (Hey`ate Fatemiyah) marked the martyrdom of the Master of the Martyrs, Imam Husayn (AS), by taking Ashura procession into the open for the first time in New Zealand history.

The event took place in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand.

Shias from different ethnic backgrounds and associations (Husaynias) joined Fatima Zahra Charitable Association in a show of solidarity for mourning the martyrs of Karbala.

The programme included beating of the chest (seenezani), reading of ziyaarate Ashura and finally congregational prayer of the noon of Ashura led by Haj Shaykh Hamed Soltanian. The programme continued until night time (Shaame Ghareeban).

Fatima Zahra Charitable Association began its programmes from 9th January 2008, the night before the first of Muharram 1429, with sermons delivered by Shaykh Hassan Sibaee and Noha recitation by Morteza Norouzi and Behrooz Koohi.