TEHRAN/MASHHAD - The ten-day Muharram mourning ceremony for Imam Hussein (AS) reached its climax in Iran on Sunday, which was Ashura.

Millions of Iranians dressed in black beat their chests and flagellated themselves with chains to mourn on the day of Ashura, which is the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram and the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS).
Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (S), and 72 of his companions were martyred by the army of the Umayyad caliph Yazid in Karbala in 680 CE.
Black flags were raised all over the cities and villages of Iran as a sign of mourning.
Thousands of people visited the major shrine cities of Mashhad and Qom for the Ashura ceremonies. People in other Iranian cities also held Ashura ceremonies.
During Muharram, people get friendlier and an atmosphere of kindness and sympathy prevails in society. Families also distribute food in memory of Imam Hussein (AS).
Imam Hussein (AS) is loved by Muslims for standing up against the oppression of Yazid’s government.
In Iraq, hundreds of thousands of people flocked into Karbala to commemorate Ashura at the Shrine of Imam Hussein (AS).
About 60,000 foreign worshippers, including 15,000 Iranians also visited Karbala.
In addition, millions of Pakistani Shias also participated in Ashura ceremonies on Sunday