Shia Muslims in Leicester Remember Martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS)
Several hundred people from the city’s 1,000-strong Shia community set off from Town Hall Square - walking along Horsefair Street, Gallowtree Gate, Humberstone Gate, East Gates and High Street - on their way to Jubilee Square.
They wore black in a symbolic display of grief over the slaying of the Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) grandson, Imam Hussein (AS), whose sacrifice is commemorated during the lunar Hijri of Muharram.
He was martyred at the Battle of Kabala, in 61AH of the Islamic calendar (680AD), in what is now Iraq, after refusing to pay allegiance to Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph.
Volunteers lined the route handing out bottles of water and food to onlookers.
Aley Imran, who helped organize the event alongside other volunteers from MKSI (Masjid-Al-Hussein) Leicester, said: "This is the 29th year we have held the parade here in Leicester.
"We are celebrating the sacrifice made by Imam Hussein (AS) all those years ago, by refusing to bow down and pay allegiance to the caliph, he made a stand against repression.
"He represents truth, justice, kindness, love and humility.
"Imam Hussein's (AS) message is as important today as it ever was and he continues to inspire millions of people around the world."
Source: Leicester Mercury
