Below the crimson flag of martyrdom, they beat their chests in reminiscence of a fallen non secular chief because the cleric recounts his destiny outdoors one in all Tehran’s oldest mosques.
Imam Hussein was tricked and martyred by his enemies within the seventh-century battle of Karbala. The group of grown women and men wept with grief as Hussein’s story was retold on Sunday.
Ashura is all the time deeply shifting for the Shia devoted however this yr much more so. It comes after the trauma of Israel’s shock assaults on Iran.
Picture:
Ashura is all the time deeply shifting for the Shia devoted
There was a way of emotional launch and an opportunity for Iranians to return collectively in solidarity.
Ashura can also be a reminder that Iran’s revolutionary leaders draw a lot of their energy from the energy of faith on this nation after a battle its enemies hoped would see those self same leaders toppled.
The competition has come at simply the best time for its embattled authorities.
Iran’s supreme chief has appeared in public for the primary time since Israel attacked his nation. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was greeted with ecstatic cheers by his followers at Ashura prayers.
His supporters informed us they welcomed his return. “I was so happy that I didn’t know what to do,” mentioned one lady. “This caused our big enemies the United States and Israel to receive a great slap in the mouth.”
“His appearance on TV for Ashura,” a younger man informed us, “showed that all the talk about him hiding and taking the path of peace with the United States is not true and it shows that he is holding his position strongly and steadfastly”.
Picture:
Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a ceremony to mark Ashura. Pic: AP
We had been given uncommon entry to Iran amongst a handful of journalists who have been let in after the 12-day conflict.
Its scars aren’t laborious to search out – buildings left with gaping holes the place Israeli airstrikes took out members of Iran’s elite, one after one other.
Picture:
Ashura was an opportunity for Iranians to return collectively in solidarity
Picture:
Injury to buildings from Israeli airstrikes
And Abbas Aslani, an analyst with shut ties to the federal government, says there’s a worry it is probably not over.
“The Iranian government and the army are prepared for a new round of conflict, because they think that the other party, specifically Israel, is not to be trusted in terms of any ceasefire,” he mentioned.
Spotify
This content material is supplied by Spotify, which can be utilizing cookies and different applied sciences.
To indicate you this content material, we want your permission to make use of cookies.
You need to use the buttons beneath to amend your preferences to allow Spotify cookies or to permit these cookies simply as soon as.
You possibly can change your settings at any time by way of the Privateness Choices.
Sadly we now have been unable to confirm when you have consented to Spotify cookies.
To view this content material you need to use the button beneath to permit Spotify cookies for this session solely.
Allow Cookies
Enable Cookies As soon as
👉Hearken to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim in your podcast app👈
On the Ashura ceremony, the group chants, “we’ll never yield to humiliation” – an age-old message for Iran’s enemies immediately as they brace for the potential of extra battle.
