Iranians prepare for Ashura mourning

Iranians across the country are commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Mourners dressed in black take to the streets or gather in mosques to grieve the slaying of Imam Hussein (PBUH).

The Imam flatly refused to give allegiance to the oppressive Umayyad caliph, Yazid.

His martyrdom took place on the tenth of the Muslim month of Muharram, known as Ashura, in 680 AD.

He was killed along with 72 of his loyal companions in the tragic massacre at Karbala.

Nearly 14 centuries later, millions of Muslims around the world commemorate the occasion every year.