Women thrumming drums, children devouring rich pastries, red flares lighting up the sky — these are telltale signs that Moroccans are marking Ashoura. The holy day observed this week commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. While he was one of Shiite Islam’s most important figures, the holiday is also marked in some largely Sunni countries like Morocco.

In remembrance of the historic events

In most places, Ashoura is an emotional time in remembrance of the historic events that led to Hussein’s death. Hussein’s killing has been attributed with cementing the schism between Shiite and Sunni Islam.
While in countries such as Iraq believers weep over his death or beat their own backs with chains, in Morocco, religious and cultural traditions give the day a unique celebratory atmosphere.

Families gather at home to eat a variety of sweets, dried fruits, and pastries that are served up throughout the Ashoura week. Traditional couscous meals with meat and vegetables are cooked, as women sing songs that are chanted to the beat of newly-bought Taarejs, colorful drums which are given as gifts to children. Girls get traditional henna tattoos for the occasion. The rituals don’t end there.

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As night falls, people spill out onto the streets. Children light sparklers and ask for treats, in an atmosphere reminiscent of Halloween.

Crowds of youths in cities like Sale on the Atlantic Coast ignite flares and fireworks — despite an annual crackdown on sales by authorities in an effort to reduce the risk of accidents.

In open spaces, young people drag tires and light them up, as residents gather to watch a huge bonfire blaze under the night sky.

31 pilgrims killed in stampede

The religious procession was preceded by a horrific incident on September 11 as the governor of the Iraqi Shiite holy city of Karbala has declared three days of mourning for 31 pilgrims who died in a stampede a day earlier.

At least 100 other people were injured in the stampede, which occurred on Tuesday as tens of thousands of Shiite Muslims marked Ashoura, one of the most solemn days of the year for the sect when worshippers from all over converge on Karbala.

It was the deadliest stampede in recent history during Ashoura commemorations.

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The governor of Karbala, Nassif al-Khattabi, on Wednesday declared the mourning period. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi also visited the city after the incident. Karbala is about 80 kilometers, or 50 miles, south of Baghdad.

Officials say most of the injured have left hospital; nine remain in critical condition.

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