The commemorations in Karbala today?
Shi'a Mulsims observe the month of Muharram, especially Ashura as a vital means of recalling one of the most important events in their history. Iraq, a country where approximately 65% of the population is Shi'a, (some 7 million people), contains the holy city of Karbala (See map) which was the site of the Ashura massacre.
This year for the first time in nearly 30 years, millions of Shi'a can commemorate during Muharram freely without fear of persecution from the regime of Saddam Husayn and his Ba'th party.
Last year, at the end of Muharram immediately following the fall of Saddam, more than two million Muslims from mostly Iran, Iraq and Lebanon descended on Karbala to celebrate Mared al-Rass, which marks the 40th day after Ashura and the official end of the mourning period.
This year, the people of Karbala are expecting even more visitors for the commemoration of Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram. Denied the chance to commemorate Ashura for decades, eager visitors booked out every hotel in Karbala two years ago in the hope that 2004 would see a lifting of the restrictions.
Where do they come from?
The majority of Shi'a visitors to Karbala will come from Iraq and Iran where they form the majority of the population. But others are also expected from Bahrain, Lebanon, Azerbaijan and India who also enjoy large Shi'a populations.
(View a world map showing where the majority of Shi'a Muslims come from)
Next: The commemorations and their meaning.
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