Millions of Shiite Muslims in Iraq commemorate Ashura

Dec 27, 2009, 13:24 GMT

Karbala - Millions of Shiite Muslims flocked to the southern Iraqi city of Karbala Sunday to participate in processions for Ashura, an annual day of mourning, amid tight security.

Unofficial estimates put the number of people attending the events in Karbala, which is sacred to the Shiites, at 3 million.

Around 25,000 security personnel have been deployed around the city for the day, which marks the climax of a 10-day mourning period.

Previous years have seen Ashura processions attacked.

Crowds of men and women walked through Karbala, chanting, crying, and beating their own heads and chests in signs of grief.

Before and after the street processions, believers attended sermons and prayers in the city's mosques, listening to lectures and hearing the stories of Shiite Islam's early leaders.

The day commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed, during the Battle of Karbala in the seventh century.

Iraqis made up the majority of the throngs who flocked to the site of the battle, but witnesses said foreigners were also present, including a large number of Iranians.