Indian Muslims hold Arba’een in New Delhi

Thousands of Indian Muslims have flocked to the streets of the capital to participate in a massive mourning procession to mark Arba’een, 40 days after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), the third Shia Imam, Press TV reports.

The Arba’een rituals were observed in New Delhi and other Indian cities on Sunday despite harsh weather and heavy rainfall.

“People should remember that the greatest matter of Islam and the world. Imam Hussein scarified his life for humanity,” a participant in the ceremony told Press TV.

Another mourner said that “we are mourning the death of Imam Hussein who carried forward the legacy of his grandfather. He scarified his life and his 72 companions for the sake of Islam and justice.”

The event was also marked in other parts of the world, including Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Syria.

In Iraq, millions of pilgrims from around the world went to the holy city of Karbala on Saturday to mark one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), and his 72 companions were martyred in the battle of Karbala on the day of Ashura in 680 CE, after refusing to pledge allegiance to the tyrant ruler of his time.