Skip linksSkip to Content
play
Live
Navigation menu
  • News
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Explained
  • Opinion
  • Sport
  • Video
    • Features
    • Economy
    • Human Rights
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Podcasts
play
Live

In Pictures

Gallery|Religion

Muslims worldwide mark Ashura

Worshippers worldwide mark anniversary of Battle of Karbala and mourn death of Imam Hussein, the Prophet’s grandson.

Ashura
Iranian Shia Muslims in Tehran, Iran, take part in a mourning ceremony during the Muslim month of Muharram, in Tehran. [Vahid Salemi/AP]
Published On 11 Oct 201611 Oct 2016
facebooktwitterwhatsappcopylink

Ashura is marked on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, by all Muslims.

It is a particularly important period of mourning for Shia Muslims, as it marks the anniversary of the 7th century Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq, when Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was killed.

The death of Imam al-Hussein is considered by the Shia community as a symbol of humanity’s struggle against injustice, tyranny and oppression.

The primary rituals and observances on Ashura consist of public expressions of mourning. Sunni Muslims commemorate the day through voluntary fasting.

Some in the Shia community resort to flagellating themselves with chains and the blunt ends of swords. This is intended to exemplify the suffering Imam al-Hussein experienced shortly before his beheading.

Ashura
Shia Muslim women mourn during an Ashura procession in Istanbul, Turkey. [Murad Sezer/Reuters]
Advertisement
Ashura
Shia Muslim men beat themselves with knives attached to chains during a procession to mark Ashura in Kabul, Afghanistan. [Rahmat Gul/AP]
Ashura
A Shia Muslim devotee runs barefoot over a bed of burning coals as he takes part in the Muharram processions ahead of the commemoration of Ashura in Yangon, Myanmar. [Lynn Bo Bo/EPA]
Ashura
Pakistani Shia Muslims attend a mourning procession a day ahead of the commemoration of Ashura, in Islamabad, Pakistan. [T Mughal/EPA]
Ashura
Shia Muslims commemorate Ashura in Kerbala, Iraq. [Alaa Al-Marjani/Reuters]
Ashura
Millions of Shia Muslims took to the streets worldwide to mark the day of Ashura. [Alaa Al-Marjani/Reuters]
Advertisement
Ashura
Shia Muslims across the globe mourn the death of Imam Hussein during the month of Muharram. [Vahid Salemi/AP]
Ashura
Muslim Shia women chained to each other march during a re-enactment of the battle of Kerbala during a mourning process, one day before Ashura in Nabatiyeh, Lebanon. [Ali Hashisho/Reuters]


    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Sitemap
    • Work for us
    • Contact Us
    • User Accounts Help
    • Advertise with us
    • Stay Connected
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2025 Al Jazeera Media Network