AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): As the day of Ashura approaches, the courtyards of the holy shrine of Imam Ali (AS) in Najaf, Iraq, were covered with red carpets.
Ashura marks the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), and the color red symbolizes martyrdom.
Haidar al-Issawi, an official with the Astan (custodianship) of the holy shrine in Najaf, said over 25,000 square meters of the courtyards have been covered with red carpets.
He said an integrated plan has been implemented at the mausoleum of Imam Ali (AS) to host mourners in the first ten days of the lunar Hijri month of Muharram.
He added that more than 100 Moukebs (booths providing food and drinks to pilgrims) have been set up to serve the pilgrims.
The Astan has equipped the Moukebs with air conditioning and provided drinking water, detergents, etc, he stated.
According to al-Issawi, the Astan seeks to provide the pilgrims and mourners with the best services.
Muharram is the first month in the lunar Hijri calendar.
Shia Muslims, and others in different parts of the world, hold ceremonies every year in the month of Muharram to mourn the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions.
The third Shia Imam (AS) and a small group of his followers and family members were martyred by the tyrant of his time - Yazid Bin Muawiya, in the battle of Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram (known as Ashura) in the year 680 AD.
....................
End/ 257