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Iran Scales Back Ashura Commemoration Amid Pandemic

Amid strict COVID-19 measures, Shi'ite Muslims in Iran marked the holy day of Ashura on August 30. The day of mourning honors the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad who was slain in a battle in Karbala in the year 680.

Believers make dramatic displays of passion and faith -- including recitations and processions, weeping, chest beatings, and self-flagellation. But this year, commemorations were scaled back due to the pandemic.
Mourning women wear protective face masks to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus during the annual ceremony commemorating Ashura at the Saleh shrine in northern Tehran on August 30.
1 Mourning women wear protective face masks to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus during the annual ceremony commemorating Ashura at the Saleh shrine in northern Tehran on August 30.
Iranian and Iraqi Shi'ite Muslims burn a tent in Tehran on August 30 during the reenactment of the battle in Karbala in the year 680 that honors the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
2 Iranian and Iraqi Shi'ite Muslims burn a tent in Tehran on August 30 during the reenactment of the battle in Karbala in the year 680 that honors the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Children perform a reenactment on the 10th day of the month of Muharram, which marks the peak of Ashura.
3 Children perform a reenactment on the 10th day of the month of Muharram, which marks the peak of Ashura.
Many believers wore masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during reenactments.
4 Many believers wore masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during reenactments.
Iranian and Iraqi Shiite Muslims run past a burning tent during the reenactment of the events of the 10th day of the month of Muharram, which marks the peak of Ashura, in the Iranian capital of Tehran on August 30.
5 Iranian and Iraqi Shiite Muslims run past a burning tent during the reenactment of the events of the 10th day of the month of Muharram, which marks the peak of Ashura, in the Iranian capital of Tehran on August 30.
Believers in face masks beat their chests during the annual ceremony commemorating Ashura on August 30.
6 Believers in face masks beat their chests during the annual ceremony commemorating Ashura on August 30.
People are encouraged to cry or weep during the ceremonies to show their sadness. Children were among the mourners in Tehran on August 30.
7 People are encouraged to cry or weep during the ceremonies to show their sadness. Children were among the mourners in Tehran on August 30.
Crowds packed in the Kerbala mosque in Tehran. Iranian President Hassan Rohani was under pressure from hard-liners who opposed any limits on religious ceremonies or the closing of shrines due to the pandemic.
8 Crowds packed in the Kerbala mosque in Tehran. Iranian President Hassan Rohani was under pressure from hard-liners who opposed any limits on religious ceremonies or the closing of shrines due to the pandemic.
Mourners hit themselves during the Ashura ceremonies at the Kerbala mosque in Tehran. Iranian health experts worried that large crowds could spark another surge in infections.
9 Mourners hit themselves during the Ashura ceremonies at the Kerbala mosque in Tehran. Iranian health experts worried that large crowds could spark another surge in infections.
In some places, the pandemic limited public gatherings for Ashura commemorations. The top photo shows a square in Tehran on September 10, 2019. The same location (below) was virtually deserted for Ashura this year, which fell on August 30.
10 In some places, the pandemic limited public gatherings for Ashura commemorations. The top photo shows a square in Tehran on September 10, 2019. The same location (below) was virtually deserted for Ashura this year, which fell on August 30.
Iranian and Iraqi Shi'a wear protective face masks during Ashura prayers in Tehran.
11 Iranian and Iraqi Shi'a wear protective face masks during Ashura prayers in Tehran.
People attend the noon prayer for Ashura on August 30 in the courtyard of the St. Abdulazim shrine, in Shahr-e Ray, south of Tehran.
12 People attend the noon prayer for Ashura on August 30 in the courtyard of the St. Abdulazim shrine, in Shahr-e Ray, south of Tehran.
Men pray on the right and women on the left at the St. Abdulazim shrine in Shahr-e Ray.
13 Men pray on the right and women on the left at the St. Abdulazim shrine in Shahr-e Ray.
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