Shiites of the Arab world commemorate Ashura to the sound of explosions

Millions of Shiites in several Arab and Islamic countries commemorated the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala 14 centuries ago.        

In Iraq, Ashura commemorations were held in every Shiite city and neighborhood. The celebrations reached their peak in the city of Karbala near the tomb of Imam Hussain, where millions of Iraqi Shiites and foreigners coming from Arab and Islamic countries gathered amid tight security measures. More than 30,000 soldiers, police officers and security forces were present at the scene. Convoys have been pouring into Karbala since the first day of Ashura from different provinces to participate in the commemoration.      

Shiites practiced Ashura rituals in holy shrines, mosques, Shiite mosques and pavilions scattered throughout the streets as the Iraqi government announced that Tuesday is an official state holiday.        

Despite heightened security measures, armed groups managed to carry out attacks using two booby-trapped cars and an explosive device in al-Hella city. Dozens were killed and hundreds wounded in different regions, mainly in Bagdad and al-Hella.         

In Pakistan, Ashura was commemorated by around 20 million Shiites amid tight security measures. The Pakistani leadership called on the sons of the nation to walk in Imam Hussain’s footsteps.        

On this occasion, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Yusuf Rida Jilani called for tolerance and forgiveness to promote security and peace. This occasion did not go without extremist attacks as rocket-propelled grenades targeted large crowds commemorating Ashura in several Pakistani cities.        

As for Afghanistan and neighboring Bangladesh, Shiite convoys en route to sanctuaries were also the target of extremists. In the Afghan capital of Kabul, 54 people were killed and over 150 injured in a suicide attack targeting a Shiite sanctuary where hundreds were gathering to commemorate the Day of Ashura.        

In the city of Mazar al Sharif, a bomb planted on a bicycle near the main mosque detonated, killing four people and injuring 21 others.