Thousands of people from across the North West took part in a Shia Procession in Manchester.

The annual event brought Manchester's famous Curry Mile to a stanstill this afternoon (Sunday September 8). 

Pictures and Video by Nasir Hussain

The procession made its way from the Jafaria Islamic Centre also known as the Imambargah on Moss Lane East along Wilmslow Road where attendees paused to take part in prayers and rituals.

Crowds then marched back to the Islamic Centre.

Asian Image:

Asian Image:

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.

Asian Image:

Asian Image:

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.