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The day of Ashura, or the 10th of Muhharam in the Islamic calendar, was observed in Afghanistan peacefully amid tight security, enabling the mourners to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and his companions in Karbala of Iraq 14 centuries ago.
No security incident has been reported from the capital city Kabul and other big cities in Afghanistan where Ashura processions have been held.
Imam Hussain, along with 72 of his companions including friends and family members including some ladies, according to history, were martyred at the hand of Yazid's troops at the battle of Karbala, Iraq in 61 AH (680 AD) after Imam Hussain rejected to make allegiance for Yazid despotic rule.
The mourners' processions, accompanied by police have marked the day of Ashura elsewhere in the country including Kabul and the southern Kandahar province, the former stronghold of Taliban militants.
The mourners, mostly wearing black dress, carried banners inscribed with "Long live Hussain's way" demonstrating their loyalty to Hussain and his way of fighting despotism.
Groups of the mourners commemorated the day of Ashura by chest beating and flagellation and some others observed the day by giving blood to hospitals as a practice to pay homage to late Imam Hussain.
During flagellation, the faithful mourners using sharp instruments including knives to beat themselves until their bodies soaked with blood.
Ashura has been largely observed by Muslims of Shiite sect. However, the Sunni sect also share the mourning day by recitation of Muslim holy book the Quran and distributing food to the people.
The day of Ashura in some Muslim countries such as Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan is national holiday, allowing religious communities to attend it.
A deadly suicide attack against Ashura mourners in the capital city Kabul on Dec. 6, 2011 had left more than 50 people dead and injured over 150 others.
However, this year, all security measures have been put in place to ensure peaceful Ashura observance for the mourners. Police have been put on high alert, and security personnel strictly check almost any car and pedestrians entering the venue of Ashura processions.
