Iraq: Thousands gather to commemorate Ashura in Karbala

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Thousands of Shia Muslims marked Ashura, one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar, at the Imam Hussein Holy Shrine in the city of Karbala on Thursday.

Massive crowds of visitors were seen packing the shrine, while cheering and holding banners.

Speaking of the organisational aspect of the ceremonies, Jasim al-Fatlaoui, First Deputy Governor of Karbala, said: “From early on, we started to prepare for this day. Indeed, it is biggest ritual in Karbala province, which is the 10th of Muharram visit.”

“It already started – as you can see – and will safely and securely end in a few hours; thanks for the great efforts from the cadres of the security services, service departments, operations command, the police and the Popular Mobilisation Forces deployed inside and outside the city,” al-Fatlaoui continued.

“[Receiving] 6 million visitors is definitely not an easy task. The plan we have made to transport the visitors guarantees their evacuation from the city by sunset, as the city of Karbala shall be empty from visitors by then,” he added.

One of the visitors explained the rituals performed by the participants during the ceremonies: “this run is called the ‘Twereej’ which constitutes part of the rituals. Like other rituals, this one is derived from a story about a clergyman who once came here to pray Dhuhur and Asr prayers in congregations. He then felt the presence of Imam Hussein so he started jogging to support him, and people began to run after him”, indicating that this specific ritual dates back 120 years.

Several countries hold Ashura commemoration ceremonies to mark the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammed, who Shia regards as the third Shia Imam, in 680 CE.

TRANSLATONS:

SOT, Jasim al-Fatlaoui, First Deputy Governor of Karbala (Arabic): “From early on, we started to prepare for this day. Indeed, it is biggest ritual in Karbala province, which is the 10th of Muharram visit. It already started – as you can see – and will safely and securely end in a few hours; thanks for the great efforts from the cadres of the security services, service departments, operations command, the police and the Popular Mobilisation Forces deployed inside and outside the city.”

SOT, Jasim al-Fatlaoui, First Deputy Governor of Karbala (Arabic): “(Receiving) 6 million visitors is definitely not an easy task. The plan we have made to transport the visitors guarantees their evacuation from the city by sunset, as the city of Karbala shall be empty from visitors by then.”

SOT, Abu Ali, Visitor (Arabic): “Today at noon, the 10th of Muharram, a marathon is held in support and alliance to Imam Hussein. This run is called the “Twereej” which constitutes part of the rituals. Like other rituals, this one is derived from a story about a clergyman who once came here to pray Dhuhur and Asr prayers in congregations. He then felt the presence of Imam Hussein so he started jogging to support him, and people began to run after him. This happened in a place called “Twereej” so this is where the name came from. Ever since, around 120 years ago, this marathon continues until now”

#Ashura #Iraq #Karbala

Video ID: 20210819-037

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