By Yuram Abdullah Weiler

The reality of Ashura versus the reality show of America

“Every day is Ashura and every land is Karbala.” —Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS)1

By Samaneh Aboutalebi

Tekyehs echo Muharram mourning through history

Tekyehs, venues for the gathering of mourners who honor the way Imam Hussein (AS) chose to live and to die, have been blood floating in the Iranian mourning culture veins, refreshed year after year, century after century, since Iranians have mourned the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his 72 loyal companions for centuries.

By Seyed Hossein Hosseiniseddiq            

Muharram rituals: flagpole-carrying in Shahroud

In Muharram culture, Shia Muslims perform the ritual of carrying flagpoles to commemorate the memory of Holiness Abol-Fazl Al-Abbas (PBUH), the faithful flag bearer of the Karbala plain.

(Part 1/8)

Muharram mourning: A glimpse of indigenous rituals across Iran

TEHRAN - Every year, people in different parts of Iran hold rituals to commemorate Muharram mourning season gloriously in public. The commemoration of the battle of Karbala on the day of Ashura (10th day of Muharram) and the epic passion and courage of Imam Hussein (AS) and his 72 loyal companions who were all martyred (in 680 CE) is annually honored by Iranians.

Farewell, Commander

TEHRAN - Spectacular scenes were witnessed in the packed streets of Tehran on Monday as millions came out to bid a tearful adieu to their beloved commander, Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, and his comrades.

Iran closes southwestern border to Iraqi travelers

TEHRAN – Iran has closed its southwestern Chazzabeh border crossing with Iraq to inbound travelers due to insecurity and unrest in the neighboring country.

Arbaeen hospitality gains UNESCO heritage status

TEHRAN – The generous hospitality of Iraqi people during the Arbaeen pilgrimage has been added to UNESCO’s prestigious heritage list.

Iraq condemns attack on Iran’s consulate in Karbala 

TEHRAN – The Iraqi Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Monday, strongly condemned the so-called protestors’ assault on the Iranian consulate in the holy city of Karbala. 

IKIA operates 979 flights during Arbaeen season

TEHRAN – Imam Khomeini International Airport has operated 979 flights between Iran and Iraq since the beginning of the Arbaeen season on October 9.

Over 15 million pilgrims visited Karbala this year: report

TEHRAN – More than 15.22 million pilgrims entered the holy city of Karbala from five cities of Baghdad, Najaf, Babylon, al-Hurr and Hussainiyeh, according to a report.

By Afshin Majlesi

Despite media bias, Western people have right to authentic information on Arbaeen

Mass media outlets, including news agencies, radio, television, the Internet and mobile platforms, have undoubtedly become the primary source of information for the majority of, if not all, individuals in modern societies.

Jahangiri thanks Iraqis for Arbaeen season hospitality

TEHRAN – Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri has expressed gratitude to the Iraqi government and nation for their warm hospitality during the Arbaeen season.

The epic of Arba’een

Massive processions underway in Iraq's Karbala as millions mark Arba’een

TEHRAN- Huge processions have been held in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala as millions of mourners commemorated Arba’een, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam.

Exhibitions of handicrafts, souvenirs set up for Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN – Several sales exhibitions, featuring local handicrafts and souvenirs, have been set up across Ilam province, where thousands of Arbaeen pilgrims are on their way to the holy city of Karbala in Iraq.

IKIA transports 49,000 Arbaeen pilgrims in 4 days

TEHRAN – Imam Khomeini International Airport has transported some 49,000 passengers from Tehran to Iraqi cities of Najaf and Baghdad to participate in the Arbaeen pilgrimage in a span of four days.

Lovers of Imam Hussein on way to Karbala 

Lovers of Imam Hussein (AS) are flocking to Karbala to mark the Arbaeen ritual. So far, more than two million Iranians have crossed into Iraq and more is expected in the next few days.  Karbala is home to the shrine of Imam Hussein, who was martyred along with 72 of his relatives and companions in the battle of Karbala against the forces of the Caliph, in 680 AD.

Iran temporarily lifts visa requirement for Iraqi nationals

TEHRAN – Iran’s embassy in Baghdad has announced that Iraqi nationals can visit Iran without a visa from October 24 to December 27, 2019.

Arbaeen preparation: towards global justice

In the name of Allah who states “Shall We treat those who believe and work deeds of righteousness the same as those who do mischief on earth? Shall we treat those who guard against evil, the same as those who turn aside from the right?" Q38:28  

Imam Khomeini Intl. Airport to operate extra flights for Arbaeen

TEHRAN – Imam Khomeini International Airport is scheduled to operate extra flights to cater for religious pilgrimage of Arbaeen, which falls on October 19 this year.

20,000 traffic police forces on duty during Arbaeen pilgrimage

TEHRAN – During the Arbaeen pilgrimage, some 20,000 traffic police forces will stand guard to ensure the pilgrims’ safety, traffic police chief Seyed Kamal Hadianfar has announced.

Muslim mourners mark martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS)  

Muslim mourners travel on a street in Karbala, Iraq on September 3, 2019 in a group representing the caravan of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions when they embarked on a journey to Kufa in 680 CE.    

Iran-Iraq border open to Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN - Iran-Iraq border crossing of Khosravi was opened to Arbaeen pilgrims on Sunday in order to facilitate the commute of people who want to visit the holy city of Karbala.

Iranian consul general warns pilgrims against illegal entry into Iraq

TEHRAN – Iran’s consul general in the Iraqi city of Karbala has warned Iranian pilgrims against illegal entry into Iraq during the Arba’een rituals.

Fire incident at Kalleh Company in Iraq was ‘intentional’: CEO

TEHRAN – Gholam-Ali Soleimani, the CEO of Kalleh Dairy, has described as intentional the fire incident at the company’s branch in Iraq’s Karbala which occurred on Tuesday.

Iran’s Zob Ahan qualify for AFC Champions League Round of 16

TEHRAN – Zob Ahan football team of Iran earned a place at the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 with a 2-2 draw against Al Zawraa of Iraq at Karbala International Stadium on Tuesday.

Tehran: March of Arbaeen 

Thousands of people who did not have the privilege to travel to Karbala to visit the oly shrine of Imam Hossein to mark the Arbaeen ritual, in a symbolic move took the streets of the capital city of Tehran and marched toward Shahr-e Ray in south-west Tehran.

Arba’een: Millions of pilgrims converge on Karbala to honor Imam Hussein

Millions of pilgrims have converged on Iraq’s holy city of Karbala to commemorate Arba’een, the 40th day since the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam.

1.8 million Iranian pilgrims taking trek to Karbala

TEHRAN — Some 1.8 million pilgrims from Iran have received visas to participate in the Arbaeen trek, an official with Interior Ministry has said.