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Ashoura observed in Lebanon and Iran
Tens of thousands gathered in Beirut's southern suburbs and other Lebanese cities for Ashoura processions that also recalled those killed in the recent Hezbollah-Israel war. Smaller observances took place next to bomb damage in Nabatiyeh while ceremonies occurred in Tehran.
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Tens of thousands joined synchronized processions in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Lebanon's capital Beirut, beating their chests in remembrance of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and of relatives killed in the recent war between the Hezbollah militant group and Israel.
In the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh, smaller commemorations were held beside damage from Israeli airstrikes. Smoke from a new airstrike on the city's outskirts highlighted the fragility of the current ceasefire. Some participants performed ritual bloodletting by making ceremonial cuts to their heads.
Iran's capital Tehran, residents gathered for ceremonies and processions, many beating their heads and chests. Devotees with torches set fire to tents in a reenactment of the battle in 680 A.D. when Hussein was killed. Ashoura is one of Shiite Islam's most important religious days and commemorates the death of a grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
