TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Shiite Muslims held ceremonies nationwide on Thursday to mark Ashura Day amidst COVID-19 restrictions for the second year in a row.
Advised by the authorities, Shiite followers in the capital Tehran and other cities and villages gathered in separate groups and held outdoor ceremonies to commemorate the day.
Faced with the recent resurgence of the disease which has hit Iran the worst since its detection in the country in February 2020, the Iranian health authorities had called on citizens to strictly obey health directives, including wearing masks and observing social distancing, in a bid to take precautions to avoid contracting the deadly Delta variant of the virus.
Many people also stayed at their homes and followed up with live feeds of the ceremonies on TV and the internet.
Ashura takes place on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Shiite Muslims commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Mohammed, who was killed and buried in Karbala in 680 A.D.
Some pilgrims beat their chests and heads, or even performing self-flagellation with chains and blades, to express their sadness and sorrow for the death of Imam Hussein. Enditem
