Shiites mark Ashoura in Iraqi holy city of Karbala
(29 Jul 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Karbala - 29 July 2023 1. Various of worshippers with flags between Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas shrines 2. Various of worshippers doing the 'Tweireej run' towards shrine 3. Worshippers performing self-flagellation 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Qassim Ali, Ashoura event participant: “In this march, we condemn the Swedish government for allowing these people to burn our book, the book of Allah, the holy Quran. It is the book that was given to our prophet Mohammed.” 5. Various of worshippers 6. Various of security forces patrolling 7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Murtadha Khalid, Ashoura event participant: “We completed the visit in the best way. Praise be to God, we see excellent planning by the management of holy shrines, the police, and the Hashed al Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces). Regarding blockages, there weren’t any. I mean we were able to reach the places that are close to the imam (shrine) by car. As you can see, from the roundabout we can drive to any place we want.” 8. Various of security personnel patrolling 9. Various of worshippers between shrines STORYLINE: Thousands of Shiite Muslims marched towards the holy shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala on Saturday as they marked Ashoura, an annual commemoration mourning the 7th century death of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein. Saturday’s procession in the Iraqi city included the 'Tweireej run' ritual in which thousands of worshippers rushed towards the shrine of Imam Hussein. The two-three kilometre (one-two mile) run symbolises when the maternal cousin of Imam Hussein's half-brother al-Abbas ran from the nearby village of Tweireej to rescue him, only to find out that he had been killed. Security measures were implemented and police and army personnel were deployed in Karbala for the event. The commemoration usually attracts many pilgrims from countries with Shiite populations including Iran, Lebanon and Bahrain. For Shiites, the remembrance of Imam Hussein is an emotional event that sees many believers weep over his killing at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq, in 680 A.D. AP Video by Salman Amin =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
