IRAQ: Islamic New Year in Baghdad

Monday marked the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, and the start of the most significant religious festival for Shiite Muslims.

In Khadamiya, a Shiite neighborhood, vendors began setting up small stands to peddle holiday goods, including drums, flags and cymbals to be used during the procession of Shiite pilgrims traveling to the shrines of the Twelve Imams, who are believed to be the descendants of the prophet Muhammad. In Baghdad, pilgrims pay their respects at the shrine of Khadim, who is considered the Seventh Imam. The Ninth Imam is also honored at this shrine.

"I opened this stall two days ago because this is the beginning of the season," said Mohammed Heider al-Ghaith, 19. "It is different than the last years. It used to be that our market flourished on the sixth or seventh day, but now it started early and business is very good thanks to the security situation achieved by our government."

On Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, Shiites mourn the death of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the prophet Muhammad. Hussein and his followers were killed in 680 in Karbala.

Around the neighborhood, local Shiites began setting up tents, providing shelter and free tea and food to pilgrims.

Some set up cradles, where people could make drop in some money and make a wish.

The cradle represents the son of Hussein, who was also killed in Karbala.

-- Usama Redha and Kimi Yoshino

Photos:

Top: A young boy makes a wish at a cradle, representing the son of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the prophet Muhammad.

Bottom: Shiite Muslims in the Khadamiya neighborhood of Baghdad offer free tea to pilgrims making their way to a nearby shrine. Credit: Usama Redha

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