Shiite Muslims are commemorating Ashoura, marking the 7th-century death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein, that gave birth to their faith.
The rift between Islam’s two main sects deepened after Sunnis killed Imam Hussein in battle in the Iraqi city of Karbala, south of Baghdad, in 680. It continues to play a key role in shaping the identity of Shiites, who represent over 10% of the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims.
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Shiite faithful pilgrims light candles outside the Imam Hussein shrine, seen in the background, during a Muharram procession marking Ashoura, to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Karbala, Iraq, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
A Lebanese Shiite boy winces as a man prepares to cut his head with a razor during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala, in the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)
Shiite faithful pilgrims light candles outside the holy shrine of Imam Hussein during a Muharram procession marking Ashoura, to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Karbala, Iraq, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
Iranian Shiite Muslims mourn in Ashoura, the holy day on which they commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed in Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq, in 680 AD, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Hezbollah supporters listen during a sermon to the story of Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A Houthi supporter raises a symbolic bleeding coffin during Ashoura day, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)
Hezbollah supporters raise their hands and beat their chests as they march during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - A volunteer pours water on the body of a Shiite Muslim who bleeds after flagellating himself during an Ashoura procession marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Afghan Shia attend a sermon marking Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration of the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Chendawol Mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by Israel on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A Shiite Muslim beats his chest during an Ashoura procession marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Shiite men bleed from self-inflicted wounds after cutting their heads with swords during a procession to mark the Muslim festival of Ashoura, on the 9th day of Muharram, in Baghdad, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite Muslims re-enact the seventh century battle of Karbala during activities marking the holy day of Ashoura, the annual Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
A Shiite faithful Muslim child attends an Ashoura procession to mark the tenth day of the Muharram month, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Hezbollah supporters raise their hands and beat their chests as they march during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Shiite Muslims re-enact the seventh century battle of Karbala during activities marking the holy day of Ashoura, the annual Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Iranian Shiite Muslims mourn in a ceremony in Tehran Iran, on Saturday, July 5, 2025, on the eve of Ashoura, the death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, who was killed with his 72 companions in a 7th-century battle in Karbala in present-day Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Shiite faithful Muslims attend an Ashoura procession to mark the tenth day of the Muharram month, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Iranian Shiite Muslims mourn in a ceremony as water is being sprayed for heat management, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, July 4, 2025, ahead of Ashoura, a remembrance of the 7th-century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, who was killed in a battle in Karbala in present-day Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Shiite faithful Muslims attend an Ashoura procession in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, July 4, 2025. Shiites mark Ashoura, the tenth day of the month of Muharram, to commemorate the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussein, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was killed.(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Hezbollah supporters beat their chests as they march during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Shiite Muslims re-enact the seventh century battle of Karbala during activities marking the holy day of Ashoura, the annual Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Hezbollah supporters listen during a sermon to the story of Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Shiite Muslim flagellate themselves in a ritual during an Ashoura procession, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
Shiite Muslim women take part in a ritual during an Ashoura procession in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Muslim women and children stand on the roof of a hotel as they watch the Ashoura commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Prayagraj, India, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Shiite Muslims touch a horse, that symbolizes the horse that carried Imam Hussein during the battle of Karbala, at an Ashoura procession, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
A Lebanese Shiite boy winces as a man prepares to cut his head with a razor during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala, in the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)
Bangladeshi Shiite Muslims participate in an Ashoura commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
In the Shiite community, Ashoura is viewed as a symbol of struggle against injustice and tyranny. Participants usually wear black and set up black funeral tents, a sign of mourning, while carrying red flags that represent Hussein’s blood. Clerics recount the story of his death as people cry and beat their chests.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Shiite faithful pilgrims light candles outside the Imam Hussein shrine, seen in the background, during a Muharram procession marking Ashoura, to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Karbala, Iraq, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
A Lebanese Shiite boy winces as a man prepares to cut his head with a razor during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala, in the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)
Shiite faithful pilgrims light candles outside the holy shrine of Imam Hussein during a Muharram procession marking Ashoura, to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Karbala, Iraq, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
Iranian Shiite Muslims mourn in Ashoura, the holy day on which they commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed in Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq, in 680 AD, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Hezbollah supporters listen during a sermon to the story of Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A Houthi supporter raises a symbolic bleeding coffin during Ashoura day, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)
Hezbollah supporters raise their hands and beat their chests as they march during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - A volunteer pours water on the body of a Shiite Muslim who bleeds after flagellating himself during an Ashoura procession marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Afghan Shia attend a sermon marking Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration of the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Chendawol Mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by Israel on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A Shiite Muslim beats his chest during an Ashoura procession marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Shiite men bleed from self-inflicted wounds after cutting their heads with swords during a procession to mark the Muslim festival of Ashoura, on the 9th day of Muharram, in Baghdad, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite Muslims re-enact the seventh century battle of Karbala during activities marking the holy day of Ashoura, the annual Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
A Shiite faithful Muslim child attends an Ashoura procession to mark the tenth day of the Muharram month, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Hezbollah supporters raise their hands and beat their chests as they march during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Shiite Muslims re-enact the seventh century battle of Karbala during activities marking the holy day of Ashoura, the annual Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Iranian Shiite Muslims mourn in a ceremony in Tehran Iran, on Saturday, July 5, 2025, on the eve of Ashoura, the death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, who was killed with his 72 companions in a 7th-century battle in Karbala in present-day Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Shiite faithful Muslims attend an Ashoura procession to mark the tenth day of the Muharram month, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Iranian Shiite Muslims mourn in a ceremony as water is being sprayed for heat management, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, July 4, 2025, ahead of Ashoura, a remembrance of the 7th-century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, who was killed in a battle in Karbala in present-day Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Shiite faithful Muslims attend an Ashoura procession in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, July 4, 2025. Shiites mark Ashoura, the tenth day of the month of Muharram, to commemorate the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussein, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was killed.(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Hezbollah supporters beat their chests as they march during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Shiite Muslims re-enact the seventh century battle of Karbala during activities marking the holy day of Ashoura, the annual Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Hezbollah supporters listen during a sermon to the story of Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Shiite Muslim flagellate themselves in a ritual during an Ashoura procession, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
Shiite Muslim women take part in a ritual during an Ashoura procession in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Muslim women and children stand on the roof of a hotel as they watch the Ashoura commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Prayagraj, India, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Shiite Muslims touch a horse, that symbolizes the horse that carried Imam Hussein during the battle of Karbala, at an Ashoura procession, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
A Lebanese Shiite boy winces as a man prepares to cut his head with a razor during Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala, in the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)
Bangladeshi Shiite Muslims participate in an Ashoura commemoration marking the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
