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Young Shi'a participating in self-flagellation in Karbala |
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The mood in Karbala was calmer today compared to the angry, grief-stricken
crowds of yesterday when tens of thousands gathered to bury the victims
of the Ashura terrorist attacks.
Iranian pilgrims are starting to leave the holy city, the Iranian
authorities have sent buses to ferry the Muslim travellers home and
ambulances to collect the injured from Karbala hospitals.
Pilgrims had journeyed to the holy city for the month of Muharram
for the commemorations of the 61AH/680CE massacre which claimed the
life of the Prophet’s grandson, Husayn. It was the first time since
the late 1970's that Iranian Shi'a Muslims could travel to Karbala
to mourn Husayn, their "Prince of Martyrs" in the place of his martyrdom
and worship at his Shrine.
Today, the faithful could be seen participating in Muharram rituals
outside Imam Husayn's Shrine including self-flagellation where participants
beat their backs with chains known as zinjers. They also performed
matam where Shi'a beat their chests and chant the name of their
matyred leader "Husayn! Husayn!"
Street stalls did a brisk trade in the traditional pilgrim souvenirs;
prayer beads, paintings of Husayn and his brother 'Abbas and clay
stones which the Shi'a use for praying on.
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Armed security outside a mosque in Baghdad |
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Armed security, in many cases provided by religious groups, patrolled
the area outside the Two Shrines, on the lookout for anyone suspicious.
The only incident related to the arrest of a Sudanese man who police
suspected may be involved in an unspecified attack outside the Shrine
to Abbas in Karbala.
Police then had to fire warning shots to disperse a large crowd who
stampeded towards them shouting, "we are with you Husayn, we are with
you Husayn".
Tomorrow marks the final day of the three days of mourning devoted
to the 170 victims of Tuesday's attacks, of which 110 died in Karbala.
Crowds are expected to once again gather in Karbala 40 days after Ashura to mark Arbaein (20 Safar), which is said to relate to
when Husay’s sister Zaynab visited Karbala in 61AH/680CE to bury her brother’s head which had been paraded through the streets
of Damascus by the Caliph Yazid.
This year, the faithful will also be mourning the victims of this
week's attack.
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