Ashura 2017: Millions of Shia Muslims mark the day of Ashura in Karbala + photos

Day of Ashura is the culmination of a  ten day annual mourning period in the lunar month of Muharram for the prophet Muhammad’s grandson who was the third Shia Imam.

Today was the day of Ashura in 2017. On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, traveling from worldwide descended on Karbala, to the holy shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH) with officials putting their numbers at more than 3 million.

Ashura

Ashura 2017: Shia Muslims mark the day of Ashura in front of the holy shrine of Imam Hussain in Karbala

Ashura

Shia Muslims dressed in black, mourn for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain who was beheaded violently in thirsts and his body was left on the land, with horses running on him… All 72 of his men including his sons and families had already been beheaded one by one in front of his eyes.

Ashura blood donation not self-flagellation

While a dark, violent and blood shedding images of Islam have been presented to the world in these days by western media and through the deviant and ignorant Muslims, True Muslims have to present the true face of Islam.  Voluntary blood donation on the day of Ashura can provide a good opportunity to us to show a glimpse of the truth of Islam and true Muslims to the world. So by following the path of the Greatest Martyr (Imam Hussein [PBUH]) we present the glory of Islam to the world by donating our blood.

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Ashura blood donation

Thus each year, Shia Muslims around the world  follow the path of the greatest Martyr, the prophet Muhammad’s grandson (Imam Hussain [PBUH]) and donate their blood on the day of Ashura to save the lives of others and to present the reality of Islam. 

Shi’ite Muslims Donate Blood on Ashura + Photos

In Islam, saving human life and helping others against affliction are always enjoined. In the holy #Quran God says, “Whosoever saves a human life, saves the life of the whole mankind” [5: 32].

The holy prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain (pbuh), is the one who gave his life to save the whole mankind. He saved Islam by his blood. He revive Islam, the last version of the religion sent by God to save the humanity.

Thus every year, Shi’ite Muslims across the globe donate blood on the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussain(PBUH) and all 72 of his companions on the day of Ashura.

Ashura blood donation in Iran

In Iran, blood collection centers are open till midnight on Ashura day to collect blood from volunteers. According to a paper published in 2011 , more than 37,000 blood unites during Ashura day and the night before it were donated. This was 3.5 times more than average daily rate of blood donation in Iran.

Muslims people from other countries also deliberately participated in this movement on the day of Ashura. In Addition, there are some campaigns across the world for blood donation on Ashura day such as whoishussain.org.

Ashura blood donation in Iran

Shia muslims participate in mourning ceremonies in Muharram 2015 + Video

Shia muslims worldwide have participated in the mourning ceremonies since the first day of Muharram. mourning for Imam Hussain will reach its climax on the day of Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram.  In the following image you can see one of the Shia morning ceremonies which is held in every night of Muharram in Tehran, Iran.

The red curtain contained the name of “Ali Akbar (PBUH)” as last night was the night of mourning for Imam Hussain’s son, Ali Akbar (PBUH) who was martyred on the day of Ashura in Karbala while he was