2m swarm Karbala to observe Ashura

KARBALA (AFP) - More than two million faithful from across the Middle East swarmed the shrine city of Karbala in central Iraq on Wednesday for the climax of the annual Ashura ceremonies amid tight security.
Weeping men and even young boys in flowing white robes marched with blood streaming down their faces after slashing their scalps open with knifes in a ritual that commemorates an imam slain 13 centuries ago.
Accompanied by drummers and horn players, other mourners pounded on their chests and whipped their backs with metal chains as part of the devotional self-flagellation that characterises the dramatic annual rite.
The focus of the mourners in the desert city of Karbala, 100km south of Baghdad, were two gold-domed holy shrines - one to Hazrat Imam Hussein (RA) and the other to his half-brother Hazrat Abbas (RA).
More than two million mourners from across Iraq as well as from Iran, Bahrain, S Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan and Tanzania streamed into Karbala, said a city official.
“We are here because of our belief and we are trying to do something so that Hazrat Imam Hussein (RA) will triumph in the end,” said a mourner.
Basheer Najem, 46, another mourner, proudly showed off his bleeding head.
“I have been doing this for the past nine years. I don’t feel any pain. After doing this I feel that have I fulfilled my duty.”