Thousands of Iranian faithful attended religious processions across the country on Thursday to mark Ashura, a day of mourning for the death of Hussein, a key figure in Shia Islam. This year's ceremonies were held against the backdrop of intense diplomatic efforts aimed at ending a war sparked by massive US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
Traditional Mourning Rituals
In towns and cities around Iran, men and women dressed in black to mark the day, while some carried red flags in honour of Hussein, the third Shia Muslim imam, who was killed in battle more than 13 centuries ago. The commemorations included traditional mourning rituals, with participants beating their chests, while others took part in symbolic acts of self-flagellation.
War's Impact on Ceremonies
On the first day of the Middle East war, US and Israeli strikes killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with a number of military commanders. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones on US allies in the region, including Gulf countries and Israel. According to IRNA state news agency, some of Thursday's events, including in central Yazd province, were held 'in memory of the martyred leader and the martyrs of the resistance front', a network of Tehran-backed groups across the region opposed to Israel and the US.
New Supreme Leader
State television showed portraits of the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on display at some ceremonies. The new ayatollah has not been seen in public since his appointment following his father's killing.
Political Statements
President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a post on X that Imam Hussein had taught believers to 'stand firm against oppression'. 'We must neither commit injustice, nor accept it, nor remain silent in its face,' he wrote. Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, was killed in 680 AD at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq. His death is regarded by Shia Muslims as a defining moment in their faith and is commemorated annually.
