Once forbidden, Ashura now commemorated in Sab al Bour [Image 1 of 3]

JOINT SECURITY STATION SAB AL BOUR, IRAQ

12.31.2008

Photo by Sgt. Brandon Vacchelli 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

Shiite Muslims march through Sab al Bour, northwest of Baghdad marking the Ashura commemoration, Dec. 31, 2008. Ashura is the 10th day of the first month of the Islamic calendar, or Muharram. Banned for decades under the Saddam regime, faithful Shiite's returned to the streets of Sab al Bour to honor the death of Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, and the third Imam of Shiite Islam. Faithful Shiite's recreate the suffering of Husayn, who died in the battle of Karbala, by lashing themselves on the back, often times drawing blood, weeping and wailing as they mourn his martyrdom.

• Date Taken: 12.31.2008
• Date Posted: 04.16.2012 22:16
• Photo ID: 141854
• Resolution: 1750x712
• Size: 169.18 KB
• Location: JOINT SECURITY STATION SAB AL BOUR, IQ