The Karbala processions commemorate the stances of Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon him) on the seventh day of the month of Muharram

The mourning processions in Karbala commemorate on the seventh day of Muharram the martyrdom anniversary of Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon him), his loyalty, and his sacrifices in the tragic event of Ashura.

The roads leading to the shrines of Imam al-Hussayn and his brother Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon them), the entrances to the old city, and extending to the sacred courtyards, witness the arrival of the Hussaini processions to commemorate the painful tragedy in an annual tradition that the mourning processions are keen to uphold.

The processions set off from various parts of the holy city of Karbala, carrying black mourning banners and chanting the Hussaini elegies and lamentations that embody the sacrifices, loyalty, bravery, and valour of Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon him) and his refusal to pledge allegiance to the oppressors.

The processions headed towards the shrine of Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon him), where believers from inside and outside Iraq gathered to commemorate this painful anniversary, which is an occasion to reaffirm the values and principles for which he (peace be upon him) sacrificed and to strengthen the spirit of belonging to the Islamic faith.

The mourning processions during the first ten days of the month of Muharram are specific to the people of Karbala. This is a mourning tradition they have been keen on maintaining since ancient times. It begins with the descent of the mourning processions of (Zinjeel) to commemorate the tragedy of the martyrdom anniversary of Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) and to renew the pledge of allegiance and loyalty to him (peace be upon him).

The holy shrines of Imam al-Hussayn and al-Abbas (peace be upon them) witness the arrival of large crowds of believers from inside and outside Iraq to participate in commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Imam al-Hussayn, his family, and his companions (peace be upon them). The voices of the mourners rise with Hussaini chants that embody the meanings of mourning and loyalty to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), their noble character, and their sublime teachings.

The movement of the processions is organised according to a meticulous plan set by the Department of Rituals, Processions, and Hussaini Bodies, guiding the processions through specific streets. They start from the Bab al-Qibla of the shrine of Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon him), passing through its noble courtyard and heading through the area between the two holy shrines, concluding the mourning at the shrine of the Master of Martyrs, Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him).

The Rituals Department allocates a number of its staff to accompany each procession from the moment it starts, taking charge of organising the march, preventing gatherings or overcrowding, and ensuring there is no intersection between the processions and the visitors, according to previously defined routes.