(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Security forces, on a heightened state of alert after reports of a possible attack on mourners, prevented vehicles from entering the city, where throngs of Shiite worshipers took part in Ashoura rituals.
Men, some women and children, listened intently as a preacher known by his first name as Ahmad recounted the story of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, who tradition holds was killed in 680 AD by the armies of the Yazid.
Millions of Shiite pilgrims flocked Sunday to Karbala, Iraq, where the revered imam is buried.
Prior to the march that began at 7 a.m., all eyes were turned to a stage set up in Nabatieh where performers reenacted Imam Hussein’s battle and his final hours.
The worshipers were keen to dispel any misinterpretation of the rituals, some of which include lacerations to the head.
“The media portrays us as criminals but we want to clarify that this mourning we do is for the love of the community,” said worshiper Khalil Hammoush.
Other similar marches took place Sunday in Beirut's southern suburbs as well as in Tyre and Bint Jbeil, south Lebanon, most of which were organized by Hezbollah.
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