HUNDREDS of people took part in the annual Shia procession in Blackburn.
The march began at the Shia Islamic Centre on Preston New Road, making its way down Addison Street and along Devonport Road.
It finished an hour later back at the Shia Islamic Centre.
The ritual is known as Ashura and is celebrated on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, the first month of the lunar calendar.
It marks the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Holy Prophet in 680 AD in Karbala, near Baghdad in Iraq.
He was killed by political rivals alongside an army of 72 men at the battle of Karbala.
The peaceful march is of great religious significance to members of the Shia community and takes place across the world.
Hussein’s body was mutilated, leading to his martyrdom.
The death of Hussein is the event which led to the split in Islam between the two sects of the Shias and the Sunnis.
Police were joined by volunteers who helped to marshal the march and assist with traffic control.
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