High security in Iraq as Shi’ites mark Ashura

Shi’ite Muslims in Iraq have been gathering to mark the religious mourning ritual of Ashura.

Hundreds of thousands of followers made their way to Kerbala, some 90 kilometres south of the capital Baghdad.

A large-scale security operation is in place for the annual event, which has been marred by several bloody Sunni extremist attacks in recent years, including the deaths of more than 160 people in 2004.

The holy ritual is also marked across the Muslim world, including Lebanon, where the leader of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah declared there was no difference between Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims.

Held to commemorate the death of the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson, Hussein, in a battle in 680 AD, the event has come to represent the increasing sectarian divide between Sunnis and Shi’ites.

In London, as well as other European capitals, there were also commemorations.

Mourners traditionally beat themselves with flails to mark the anniversary, which takes place on the 10th day of the lunar month, according to Islamic tradition.

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