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Iraq on Moharram advent says to close its borders

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: As Iraq marked a violent start of Moharramol Haram on Thursday 10 February, the government has said the country's borders will be closed for six days from next week as part of protective measures for Ashoura.

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 Samra 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.

The borders will be closed down from February 17 (Moharram 8) until February 22 (Moharram 13) for Ashoura, said government spokesman Thaer An-Naqib.

He said that basing on the suggestions of National Security Council, to boost peace and guarantee security of people, the government has decided to shut Iraq borders.

Last year, multiple suicide bombers attacked Ashoura ceremony attended by several millions in Kazemiyah and Holy Karbala leaving at least 271 Husseini mourners martyred and 430 wounded.

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