Pakistani Shiite Muslims raising their hands to mourn the death of their spiritual leader Imam Husseinon on Wednesday. (Shakil Adil/The Associated Press)From International Herald Tribune:
BAGHDAD: Millions of Iraqi Shiites celebrated one of the most emotional occasions in their religious calendar Wednesday amid unprecedented security measures that included a ban on women from entering the area around one of Baghdad's holiest shrines.
Ashura, the 10th day of the Muslim month of Muharram, marks the day the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein and his rebellious companions were killed in 680 in a battle in Karbala against the army of Yazid, the caliph at the time. Hussein's martyrdom, which embodies the schism between the Sunni and Shiite sects of Islam, continues to this day to play a central role in shaping Shiite identity.
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