STORY: Thousands of Shi'ite Muslims took part in the ceremony of Ashura in Karbala, Iraq on Sunday (July 6) amid heavy security presence in the city.

Ashura rituals are usually carried out in religious sites in different locations marking the holiest day on the Shi'ite Muslim calendar.

Processions of men beating drums marched and beat their backs with steel chains in an act of mourning for the killing of Imam Hussein.

Ashura falls on the 10th day of the lunar calendar month of Muharram and commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, one of the Prophet Muhammad's grandsons, who was buried there after he and his followers were massacred in the battle of Karbala in A.D. 680.

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SHOWS: KARBALA, IRAQ (JULY 6, 2025) (REUTERS - Access alSHOWS: KARBALA, IRAQ (JULY 6, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. SHI'ITE IRAQIS WALKING TO PARTICIPATE IN ASHURA

2. VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANTS PRACTISING SELF-FLAGELLATION

3. SHI'ITE IRAQIS WALKING, WAVING FLAG

4. SHI'ITE IRAQIS HOLDING SWORDS

5. MEN PRACTISING SELF-FLAGELLATION

6. SHI'ITE IRAQIS GATHERING

7. VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANTS PRACTISING SELF-FLAGELLATION

8. VARIOUS OF SHI'ITE IRAQIS GATHERING HOLDING SWORDS

9. MAN PRACTISING SELF-FLAGELLATION

10. SHI'ITE IRAQIS CELEBRATING

11. SHI'ITE IRAQIS GATHERING