Kerbala, amid tears and anti-Covid-19 masks, the Shiites celebrate Ashura
Thousands of pilgrims gathered in the holy city to commemorate the death of Imam Hussein. The authorities have reduced presences and events due to the coronavirus emergency. Inside, however, some traditional rites could favour the spread of the infection. Ayatollah Khamenei prayed alone in his residence.
Baghdad (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Thousands of Shiite pilgrims, in tears and wearing masks as required by the containment regulations of the new coronavirus pandemic, gathered yesterday in the holy city of Kerbala to celebrate the feast of Ashura.
The anniversary celebrates the killing of Imam Hussein by the forces of Caliph Yazid in 680 AD, one of the central events of Islam. His death is part of the dispute over the succession to the Prophet Muhammad, which then ended with the division between Sunnis and Shiites.
Every year millions of Shia from all over the world come to Iraq to commemorate the origins of their faith, to eat together, to pray and to gather together for discussions. However, due to the global emergency triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Iraqi (and Iranian) authorities have downsized events and ceremonies, limiting access as much as possible. In the region, the country is second after Iran in the number of coronavirus victims (almost 7 thousand).
Small groups of pilgrims gathered in the vast courtyards outside the main mosque of Kerbala, wearing the usual black colour of mourning and with the recent addition of medical masks and gloves. Among the crowd could be seen teams of sanctuary operators’ intent on spraying disinfectant spray or distributing masks to the (few) visitors with uncovered faces. To access the sanctuary, the faithful had to have their temperature measured, in front of gates similar to metal detectors. Inside, the signs on the carpeted floor indicated the distance to be kept between the faithful in prayer.
However, in the enclave where Imam Hussein is buried, pilgrims continued - as usual - to press their faces (without masks) against the ornate grid that separates them from the mausoleum. Other visitors were crying, wiping their faces with their bare hands, perhaps unaware that this is one of the main ways to encourage the spread of the infection.
Neighbouring Iran, the world's leading Shiite power, which usually sends tens of thousands of pilgrims to Kerbala, is the Middle Eastern nation most affected by the pandemic, with over 21,000 deaths from Covid-19. This year, the Islamic Republic banned traditional Ashura marches, indoor ceremonies, musical performances and banquets, while broadcasting various religious rituals on state television. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also prayed alone wearing a mask in the large empty mosque inside his residence.
In Lebanon hit by the economic, political and health crisis, and which this month saw an escalation in the contagions of the new coronavirus, the Shiite movements of Hezbollah and Amal have cancelled the large processions planned for Ashura. Their leaders addressed the faithful, asking them to follow the sermons online and through the media channels linked to the two formations.
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