Hundreds gathered for an annual procession in Burnley as part of commemorations during the holy Islamic month of Muharram.
The event, which was attended by people of all ages, began and ended at Hussainia Central Mosque and Imambargah Grey Street, taking in Daneshouse Road and Hebrew Road.
The Burnley march, held on Sunday (August 14), is one of several events which will take place across towns and cities in the North West. Most recently, thousands gathered on the Curry Mile (Wilmslow Road) in Manchester for a similar procession.
As the crowds made their way along Grey Street they would pause for several minutes to take part in the ritual prayers. Local residents and passers-by watched on as young and old took part in the event carrying flags, with a horse making up the rear of the procession.
Members of the mosque volunteered to marshal crowds and were also on hand to explain the significance and background to the march.
The procession 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. Hussein’s body was mutilated, leading to his martyrdom.
The word Muharram translates as forbidden or prohibited and warfare is forbidden during the month.
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