Shia Muslims celebrate the end of 40 days of mourning the Karbala massacre in 680 with an Arbaeen procession in London.
Shia Muslims regard the massacre of the prophet Mohammed's grandson, together with 72 companions at Karbala as "the greatest sacrifice make by mankind, for humanity" and the "ultimate standoff between 'good and evil'. Hussain had refused to pledge allegiance to the ruler - "Death in honour is preferable to life in humiliation" - and his small band of followers fought to the death against an army of 40,000. Following the massacre the women and children who had been travelling with Imam Hussain were taken captive and paraded through towns and cities on a 750 mile journey to Damascus, along with the decapitated heads of the martyrs, impaled on spears. The Arbaeen procession at Marble Arch, London, marks the end of the annual 40 days of mourning, and similar processions take place in cities around the world. There are re-enactments of some of the events, prayers of mourning, and expression of grief in various ways including the beating of breasts.
Size: 5010px × 3354px
Location: Marble Arch, London, England, UK
Photo credit: © Peter Marshall / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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