![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5HD2E6NKUTXSR5K52VZZLVHPWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c4ec414b1a2b275e3577b961cbf1aa5a929d344a76e69032ad5dfb1c738986f5&width=400&height=225)
Shiites brandish knives during Tatbir processions near a shrine in Karbala, Iraq.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KIIBBF7BPZLMFDQ2W5SDRXDL34.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c3bbc2414c3afbb639dea727eaed7611e8117da1bfac2d371e473c53788abc2&width=400&height=225)
Shiite Muslims take part in the Tuwairij run ritual as they mark Ashura, in Karbala, Iraq. All photos: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/242E7IN2UXHCMOTEIUJPXIEWOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=74c349c45871c1e94849e38849bf9bbd11634e93f80ed773d8221cbc4daf6341&width=400&height=225)
The 10-day mourning period commemorates the seventh-century killing of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3HKNUMDRC44FIV2Q4CWWJKKZ6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=3fd59290c22ab33d449ea35917d3cafb5a6bb78cb37677935b362fd0cb0e3599&width=400&height=225)
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people converge on Karbala to observe the holy day.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3VMKHPEKZMOX32AVCUGK2LRBCU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a0d4cf4827a02b749398db1a8bc911a59fe43b561fd7b01c05e9286f085d11a&width=400&height=225)
The public rituals of Ashoura often fuel sectarian tension in places such as Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PWOGVXXTRI62ORQRAIKS6NT3AM.jpg?smart=true&auth=36754891ec1591fd6fccf3ffc1e52c87416ffb905cd9bc7d6ed01bfdd46182b0&width=400&height=225)
The traditional 'Tuwairij' run.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7JVCXEPNYPUVHSOLIWUXFYTRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=814dd06f1c2ee4d7ae528c600e2abe4f8e15511a6c7b87d6c15fdaf848478091&width=400&height=225)
Shiite Muslims listen to a retelling of the story of the killing of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NAI3M5KVZTB3FSE6L4QBUZ6OP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=870fe9ad1b27ff18b6be343046c5deafe8a96ca022f0fe6b383b39d64937244f&width=400&height=225)
Ashura involves a period of mourning that lasts for 10 days.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5HD2E6NKUTXSR5K52VZZLVHPWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c4ec414b1a2b275e3577b961cbf1aa5a929d344a76e69032ad5dfb1c738986f5&width=400&height=225)
Shiites brandish knives during Tatbir processions near a shrine in Karbala, Iraq.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KIIBBF7BPZLMFDQ2W5SDRXDL34.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c3bbc2414c3afbb639dea727eaed7611e8117da1bfac2d371e473c53788abc2&width=400&height=225)
Shiite Muslims take part in the Tuwairij run ritual as they mark Ashura, in Karbala, Iraq. All photos: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/242E7IN2UXHCMOTEIUJPXIEWOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=74c349c45871c1e94849e38849bf9bbd11634e93f80ed773d8221cbc4daf6341&width=400&height=225)
The 10-day mourning period commemorates the seventh-century killing of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3HKNUMDRC44FIV2Q4CWWJKKZ6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=3fd59290c22ab33d449ea35917d3cafb5a6bb78cb37677935b362fd0cb0e3599&width=400&height=225)
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people converge on Karbala to observe the holy day.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3VMKHPEKZMOX32AVCUGK2LRBCU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a0d4cf4827a02b749398db1a8bc911a59fe43b561fd7b01c05e9286f085d11a&width=400&height=225)
The public rituals of Ashoura often fuel sectarian tension in places such as Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PWOGVXXTRI62ORQRAIKS6NT3AM.jpg?smart=true&auth=36754891ec1591fd6fccf3ffc1e52c87416ffb905cd9bc7d6ed01bfdd46182b0&width=400&height=225)
The traditional 'Tuwairij' run.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7JVCXEPNYPUVHSOLIWUXFYTRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=814dd06f1c2ee4d7ae528c600e2abe4f8e15511a6c7b87d6c15fdaf848478091&width=400&height=225)
Shiite Muslims listen to a retelling of the story of the killing of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NAI3M5KVZTB3FSE6L4QBUZ6OP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=870fe9ad1b27ff18b6be343046c5deafe8a96ca022f0fe6b383b39d64937244f&width=400&height=225)
Ashura involves a period of mourning that lasts for 10 days.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5HD2E6NKUTXSR5K52VZZLVHPWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c4ec414b1a2b275e3577b961cbf1aa5a929d344a76e69032ad5dfb1c738986f5&width=400&height=225)
Shiites brandish knives during Tatbir processions near a shrine in Karbala, Iraq.