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Ashura: Shiite Muslims Inspire Millions

Published August 23rd, 2020 - 07:16 GMT

The red flags on the holy shrines in Karbala, Iraq, have been replaced with black ones, to mark the commencement of Moharram 1442.

The flag atop the tomb of Imam Husayn b. Ali has been changed, signaling the advent of the month of Muharram and the arrival of Ashura. 

Tens of millions of Shiite Muslims from around the world will visit Iraq on Sept. 10 this year to see the shrines of Hussain, grandson of Prophet Mohammed, and his brother Abbas on the day of “Ashura.”

The lunar month coincides with the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam, Hussein, and his companions, some 14 centuries ago, who was killed in modern day Iraqi city of Karbala by the forces of the 2nd Umayyid caliph, Yazid.

Every year, during the first ten days of Muharram, Muslims get dressed in black, erect mourning tents and participate in mass processions to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.

Still after 14 centuries, Imam Hussein's memory is alive in the hearts and minds of Muslims.

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An Iraqi man disinfects a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP

An Iraqi man disinfects a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP

Iraqis respect social distancing at a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP

Iraqis respect social distancing at a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP

Iraqis respect social distancing at a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP

Iraqis respect social distancing at a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP

A man weeps on the side of a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

A man weeps on the side of a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

Iraqi Shiite Muslim men attend Ashura commemorations at the headquarters of Shiite Muslim leader and head of Hikma party Ammar al-Hakim, in the capital Baghdad, on August 21, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP

Iraqi Shiite Muslim men attend Ashura commemorations at the headquarters of Shiite Muslim leader and head of Hikma party Ammar al-Hakim, in the capital Baghdad, on August 21, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP

Ashura re-enactors in costume are doused, as a COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic precaution, while playing out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

Ashura re-enactors in costume are doused, as a COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic precaution, while playing out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

Ashura re-enactors in costume play out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

Ashura re-enactors in costume play out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

An Ashura re-enactor is assisted to get into costume before playing out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

An Ashura re-enactor is assisted to get into costume before playing out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

An Ashura re-enactor poses for a picture while dressed in costume as Shiite Muslims prepare to re-enact events of Ashura in the central Iraqi holy shrine city of Karbala on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

An Ashura re-enactor poses for a picture while dressed in costume as Shiite Muslims prepare to re-enact events of Ashura in the central Iraqi holy shrine city of Karbala on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

An Ashura re-enactor poses for a picture while dressed in costume as Shiite Muslims prepare to re-enact events of Ashura in the central Iraqi holy shrine city of Karbala on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

An Ashura re-enactor poses for a picture while dressed in costume as Shiite Muslims prepare to re-enact events of Ashura in the central Iraqi holy shrine city of Karbala on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

An Iraqi man disinfects a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP
Iraqis respect social distancing at a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP
Iraqis respect social distancing at a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP
A man weeps on the side of a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
Iraqi Shiite Muslim men attend Ashura commemorations at the headquarters of Shiite Muslim leader and head of Hikma party Ammar al-Hakim, in the capital Baghdad, on August 21, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP
Ashura re-enactors in costume are doused, as a COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic precaution, while playing out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
Ashura re-enactors in costume play out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
An Ashura re-enactor is assisted to get into costume before playing out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
An Ashura re-enactor poses for a picture while dressed in costume as Shiite Muslims prepare to re-enact events of Ashura in the central Iraqi holy shrine city of Karbala on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
An Ashura re-enactor poses for a picture while dressed in costume as Shiite Muslims prepare to re-enact events of Ashura in the central Iraqi holy shrine city of Karbala on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
An Iraqi man disinfects a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP
An Iraqi man disinfects a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP
Iraqis respect social distancing at a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP
Iraqis respect social distancing at a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP
Iraqis respect social distancing at a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP
Iraqis respect social distancing at a mosque on August 20, 2020, as Muslim Shiites start marking Ashura under new health guidelines to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19 virus. Hussein FALEH / AFP
A man weeps on the side of a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
A man weeps on the side of a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
Iraqi Shiite Muslim men attend Ashura commemorations at the headquarters of Shiite Muslim leader and head of Hikma party Ammar al-Hakim, in the capital Baghdad, on August 21, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP
Iraqi Shiite Muslim men attend Ashura commemorations at the headquarters of Shiite Muslim leader and head of Hikma party Ammar al-Hakim, in the capital Baghdad, on August 21, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP
Ashura re-enactors in costume are doused, as a COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic precaution, while playing out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
Ashura re-enactors in costume are doused, as a COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic precaution, while playing out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
Ashura re-enactors in costume play out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
Ashura re-enactors in costume play out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
An Ashura re-enactor is assisted to get into costume before playing out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
An Ashura re-enactor is assisted to get into costume before playing out a procession commemorating the entry of Imam Hussein and his family and retinue into Karbala, as Shiite Muslims mark the Ashura period in Iraq's central holy shrine city on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
An Ashura re-enactor poses for a picture while dressed in costume as Shiite Muslims prepare to re-enact events of Ashura in the central Iraqi holy shrine city of Karbala on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
An Ashura re-enactor poses for a picture while dressed in costume as Shiite Muslims prepare to re-enact events of Ashura in the central Iraqi holy shrine city of Karbala on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
An Ashura re-enactor poses for a picture while dressed in costume as Shiite Muslims prepare to re-enact events of Ashura in the central Iraqi holy shrine city of Karbala on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP
An Ashura re-enactor poses for a picture while dressed in costume as Shiite Muslims prepare to re-enact events of Ashura in the central Iraqi holy shrine city of Karbala on August 22, 2020. Ashura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh-century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, in 680 AD. Mohammed SAWAF / AFP

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