Iranians Mark Beginning of Muharram Mourning Processions

The ceremonies began after religious authorities confirmed Tuesday as the first day of Muharram in Iran, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).

Holy shrines across Iran have hoisted black flags of mourning, streets have been draped in black, and religious groups have set up tents for mourning gatherings in the coming days.

The holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam and grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), in Mashhad; the holy shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh (SA), Imam Reza’s sister, in Qom; and other shrines have held special ceremonies to mark the beginning of Muharram.

In the capital, Tehran, the country's largest black flag has been raised during a ceremony attended by officials and people from all walks of life.

The solidarity rallies that have been held in streets across the country since the start of the US-Israeli aggression have also turned into religious gatherings commemorating both the first night of Muharram and the martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The ceremonies will continue for the next two months, with the peak observances of Tasua and Ashura set to be commemorated on 24–25 June.

Mothers across Iran are preparing to attend a special mourning ceremony on Friday, 19 June, which will commemorate Ali Asqar (AS), the youngest martyr of Karbala and the six-month-old son of Imam Hussein (AS), who was slain during the Battle of Karbala.

A landmark event in the history of Shia Islam, Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and 72 of his companions and relatives, who fought the tyrannical ruler of the time, Yazid ibn Muawiyah, in the Battle of Karbala 14 centuries ago.

The event remains central to Shia religious observance, with millions of Muslims commemorating it every year.