Holy shrine of Hazrat Abbas clad in black ahead of Muharram mourning ceremonies (photo)

On threshold of the mourning month of Muharram the holy shrine of Hazrat Abbas, half-brother and closest companion of Imam Hussein (AS) is clad in black. Muslims particularly Shias mark the month of Muharram for the great sacrifice made by the third Shia Imam and his companions in the Battle of Karbala back in 680 AD fighting the tyrant ruler of time Yazid-ibn Muawiyah.