Shiite Muslims across the globe observed Ashoura on Thursday, a sacred day commemorating sacrifice and martyrdom, which holds particular resonance this year against a backdrop of months of war in Iran and Lebanon.
The observance marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed alongside his family and companions at the Battle of Karbala in 680 A.D. after refusing to pledge allegiance to the Umayyad caliphate.
