Shiite Muslims in Lebanon and Iraq commemorate Ashoura, marking the death of Imam Hussein
July 20, 2024 at 2:39 a.m.
by
Kareem Chehayeb The Associated Press
Iraqi Shiites mark the month of Muharram in Karbala, Iraq, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Muharram commemorates the death of Prophet Muhammed's grandson, Hussein Ibn Ali, who was killed during the Battle of Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram, known as the Day of Ashoura. ( (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
BEIRUT -- On Wednesday, Shiite Muslims in Lebanon and Iraq commemorated Ashoura, marking the 7th-century death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, that gave birth to their faith, while paying tribute to Palestinians as the Israel-Hamas war entered its tenth month and tensions heightened between Hezbollah and the Israeli military.
The rift between Islam's two main sects deepened after Sunnis killed Imam Hussein in battle in the Iraqi city of Karbala, south of Baghdad. It continues to this day to play a key role in shaping the identity of Shiites, who represent more than 10% of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims.
In the Shiite community, Ashoura is viewed as a symbol of struggle against injustice and tyranny. Participants usually wear black and set up black funeral tents, a sign of mourning, while carrying red flags that represent Hussein's blood.
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