Iraq: Ashoura in Karbala draws thousands of Shiite pilgrims for rituals

No Comment Video. Iraq: Ashoura in Karbala draws thousands of Shiite pilgrims for rituals Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 26/06/2026 - 10:32 GMT+2 Thousands of Shiite pilgrims mark Ashoura in Karbala, mourning Imam Hussein’s 680 AD death with processions, prayers and reinforced security. Iraq welcomed thousands of Shiite Muslim pilgrims to the holy city of Karbala on 25 June as Ashoura commemorations reached their peak. Worshippers gathered around the shrines of Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas, taking part in prayers, mourning processions and traditional rituals marking the anniversary of Imam Hussein's death at the Battle of Karbala in AD 680. Security was reinforced across the city as visitors from Iraq and neighbouring countries joined one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the Middle East. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Ashoura is observed on the 10th day of Muharram and remains the holiest occasion in the Shiite calendar. Throughout Karbala, black banners decorated the streets while volunteers distributed food and water to pilgrims. Religious processions crossed the city carrying symbolic flags and banners, with participants performing chest-beating, elegies and other longstanding mourning traditions. The annual event commemorates Imam Hussein's refusal to submit to the Umayyad caliphate, a defining moment in Shiite Islam that continues to symbolise sacrifice, faith and resistance to oppression. shiites Iraq Karbala Traditional celebrations Pilgrimage Middle East Top stories Now playing Next Iraq: Ashoura in Karbala draws thousands of Shiite pilgrims for rituals Now playing Next Venezuela earthquakes: bodies recovered as rescue efforts continue in La Guaira Now playing Next Historic joy in Abidjan as Ivory Coast reach World Cup knockouts for first time Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | June 26th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Japan fans flood Shibuya as World Cup draw with Sweden sets up Brazil clash Now playing Next Death toll from quakes rises to 235 in Venezuela's La Guaira region Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | June 25th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next EU scales back Ukraine's accession plans due to Hungarian resistance Now playing Next Europe heatwave: Power cuts, school closures and 40 deaths in France Now playing Next Meloni-Trump spat: What do the polls say about Meloni's popularity? Now playing Next €2bn wasted? Germany scraps world’s largest frigate project Now playing Next Moment earthquake hits Venezuela, sending people fleeing in panic Now playing Next Amid shifts in energy supply, which EU countries consume and produce the most gas? Now playing Next Tehran will allow nuclear inspections during peace talks, former Iranian diplomat says Now playing Next UK foreign policy to remain unchanged despite government transition, deputy PM Lammy says Now playing Next EU releases €3 billion loan for Ukraine as US-Iran talks remain fragile ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment La Guaira, Venezuela’s port city, shows extensive earthquake damage after the quake No Comment Two years after Gen Z uprising, Kenyan protesters return to Nairobi streets No Comment Heatwave scorches Europe from London to Madrid as temperatures near 39C No Comment Moment earthquake hits Venezuela, sending people fleeing in panic Cinema Euronews Culture's Film of the Week: 'Supergirl' - Save the puppy, save the world 12 minutes with EU's door 'is open to UK', fomer Brexit negotiator Barnier tells Euronews Europe News Heat stress threatens 130 million European workers, trade union body warns Climate 'It's like a hotel tonight': Paris park welcomes residents seeking overnight respite from the heat Europe News NATO chief Rutte defends allies as Trump says he was 'let down' on Iran Sport 'I'm in great shape,' boxing legend Floyd Mayweather tells Euronews ahead of Athens fight Europe News Brussels tightens rules on US cloud providers as it pushes for tech sovereignty News Laissons Parler Les Gens: Podcast addresses issues facing young Africans online ADVERTISEMENT Europe News Moment French navy boards suspected Russian 'ghost fleet' tanker Travel News Central Asia’s first Paragliding World Cup is taking place in Kazakhstan Iran IRGC warns ships off Oman's corridor in Hormuz as Rubio draws line on tolls Euronews Tech Talks How much do we really know about microplastics? | Euronews Tech Talks Europe Today US-Iran talks could derail fragile peace process, says ex-Israeli spokesperson Europe News Macron says France intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker off coast of Sicily Sport Qatar fans hopeful about the future despite World Cup exit after Bosnia defeat Europe News Ukraine gets €3.2 billion from EU support loan, von der Leyen says ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT