Tens of thousands of Shiite Muslims annually undertake a pilgrimage to the southern Iraqi city of Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, to mark Ashura, a day of mourning commemorating the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who was killed in the deserts of Karbala in the seventh century.

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani extended his “deepest condolences to Muslims and to all free people around the world,” on the occasion of Ashura. 

 

“With his noble stance, Imam Hussein became a timeless symbol of truth, dignity, and steadfastness. His martyrdom remains an enduring legacy from which humanity continues to draw the purest meanings and highest values in defense of absolute good and evil,” Sudani said in a statement. 

 

The rituals take place throughout the first 10 days of the month, but the main ceremonies are held on Ashura, which falls on Saturday, July 5, this year.

 

Iraq’s Ministry of the Interior announced that it had not recorded any security breaches or violations until noon. 

 

"The Ministry has not recorded any significant security breaches during the Ashura pilgrimage to date,” the ministry said in a statement, hailing this year’s organizations and security measures as the best "compared to previous years, both in terms of visitor traffic and security and service procedures."

 

The ministry added that "the security and service plan for the pilgrimage continues to proceed as planned, with complete discipline and flexibility, under the direct supervision of the Minister of Interior and with the active field participation of all commanders and personnel."