In pictures: Ashura around the world

Shiites around the world take part in commemorations marking the mourning period of Ashura

Thousands of mourners around the world have taken to the streets to commemorate the sacrifices of Imam Hussain (RA) and his family in Karbala. A large number of women and children also participated in processions.

Huge crowds of black-clad Shia Muslim pilgrims thronged the Iraqi shrine city of Karbala, weeping and beating their chests in mourning for the seventh century killing of the prophet (pbuh)'s grandson. Meanwhile, thousands of mourners took to the streets of Lahore under the watchful eye of the law enforcers to commemorate the sacrifices of Imam Hussain (RA) and his family.

Here we look at the Ashura festival being commemorated in different parts of the world .

Iraqi Shias perform during the reenactment of the Battle of Karbala, as part of a parade in preparation for the peak of the mourning period of Ashura in Baghdad's northern district of Kadhimiya. PHOTO: AFP

A Pakistani Shia Muslim carries his daughter as they take part in the Ashura procession in Islamabad. PHOTO: AFP

An Iraqi man passes out food in the capital Baghdad for people marking the Ashura mourning period. PHOTO: AFP

An Iraqi Shia boy looks at his picture during the reenactment of the Battle of Karbala. PHOTO: AFP

Iraqi Shias take part in commemorations marking the mourning period of Ashura in the holy city of Karbala. PHOTO: AFP

Iraqi Shia men take part in commemorations marking the mourning period of Ashura. PHOTO: AFP

Iraqi Shias take part in commemorations marking the mourning period of Ashura in the shrine of Imam Abbas in the holy city of Karbala. PHOTO: AFP

Syrian Shias take part in commemorations marking the mourning period of Ashura in Zine el-Abidine neighbourhood in the capital Damascus. PHOTO: AFP

Iraqi Shias pray inside the Imam Abbas shrine in commemorations on the tenth day of the mourning period of Muharram, which marks the day of Ashura, in the holy city of Karbala. PHOTO: AFP

Afghan men stand in front of Karte Sakhi shrine after an attack by gunmen inside the Karte Sakhi shrine in Kabul. PHOTO: AFP

A supporter of Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has his picture on his head during a public appearance by Nashrallah at a religious procession, one day before the Shias will mark the day of Ashura. PHOTO: REUTERS

A Shia Muslim man reaches out to touch the gold-ornamentation of sword and shield, placed on a symbolic sacred horse for a good luck, during the religious procession ahead of Ashura, in Karachi. PHOTO: REUTERS

Shia Muslim men shout Islamic slogans as they mourn during an Ashura procession in Istanbul, Turkey. PHOTO: REUTERS

Shia Muslim women mourn during an Ashura procession in Istanbul, Turkey. PHOTO: REUTERS

Shia Muslim pilgrims gather as they commemorate Ashura in Kerbala, Iraq. PHOTO: REUTERS

Shia Muslims perform with fire during commemorations for Ashura in Najaf, Iraq. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pakistani Shia Muslims offer noon prayers during a religious procession on the ninth day of Muharram in Karachi, Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP

A child participates in self flagellation during Muharram procession in Islamabad, Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP