Najaf Shrine Witnessing Large Number of Pilgrims in Muharram
The Astan (custodianship) of the holy shrine has prepared a comprehensive plan to organize mourning rituals in Muharram.
Haidar al-Isawi, an official with the Astan said that the plan focuses on welcoming pilgrims and mourning groups during the first ten days of Muharram, both inside and around the courtyards of the holy shrine, as well as organizing mourning groups and the torch-carrying ritual held near the mausoleum.
The Astan has also developed a plan to support service providers in the old neighborhood of Najaf, including those providing drinking water, ice, coolers, cleaning equipment, as well as providing food during the first decade.
According to Jafar al-Badiri, another official with the Astan, the plan also includes implementing various programs, from the flag-raising ceremony to the service, security, and logistical preparations that accompany the entry of mourning groups into the holy site.
A number of coordination meetings between the mourning delegations have been held to remove obstacles and facilitate the movement of the mourning delegations during the first ten days of Muharram, he noted.
Al-Badiri added that preparations also include organizing the torch-carrying ceremony, which is held every year during the 8th, 9th and 10th nights of Muharram.
Read More:
Shia Muslims, and others around the world, commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) every year during Muharram.
The third Shia Imam (AS) and a group of his family and companions were martyred in Karbala on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura), 680 AD, by the army of Yazid bin Muawiya.
This year Ashura will be observed on Sunday July 6.
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