Crowds mass in Iraq's Karbala for mourning ritual
http://news.yahoo.com/crowds-mass-iraqs-karbala-mourning-ritual-110358456.html

Karbala (Iraq) (AFP) - Huge crowds of black-clad Shiite faithful massed in the Iraqi city of Karbala Saturday,
crying and beating their chests to commemorate the 7th century killing of the prophet's grandson.

The holy day of Ashura was marred by attacks in Pakistan and Bangladesh but unfolded peacefully in southern
Iraq, where last year's security fears have given way to political grievances.

Gathered under the golden dome of Imam Hussein's mausoleum in Karbala, devotees clutching paper tissues
wailed and wiped their tears as they listened to accounts of Hussein's death.

The dirge cantor himself repeatedly choked back tears as he sang the praise of Hussein, whose 680 AD killing
by the armies of Caliph Yazid lies at the heart of the Sunni-Shiite schism.

Many Shiite worshippers travel from neighbouring Iran and other countries each year to visit the shrine,
which lies about 80 kilometres (50 miles) southwest of Baghdad.

Millions of others across the Shiite world, from Lebanon to south Asia, hold processions in their home towns,
performing a variety of rituals, many involving flagellation.

Some beat their backs to a drumbeat using chains or blades. Others beat their heads with a sword until their
faces and their white mourning robes are covered in blood.

Karbala and other cities hosted traditional reenactments of Hussein's martyrdom, complete with horseback
warriors and the torching of the camp where the third Shiite imam and his vastly outnumbered followers made
their last stand.

The 10th day of the mourning month of Muharram has been marred by attacks in the past and Iraq deployed
tens of thousands of security forces across the country.