Skip to main content

Subdued Ashoura in Iran's holy city of Mashhad

This year there appeared to be a more subdued Ashoura to commemorate Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in Iran's holy city of Mashhad.

800px-Imam_Reza_shrine.jpg
Imam Reza's shrine in the middle of Mashhad, Dec. 25, 2007. — WikkiCommons/Mohhedin14

MASHDAD, Iran — The night before Ashoura is the busiest and most passionate night of the year in Iran’s holy city of Mashhad. Iranians flock to “the place of martyrdom” to commemorate and remember Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and partake in a communal mourning experience at the Shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Shiite Imam.

According to many locals, however, this year Ashoura had a different feel.

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in