Iraqi Shiite Muslims take part in commemorations ahead of Ashura Iraqi Shiite Muslims take part in commemorations in the holy city of Karbala marking the 9th day of Muharram ahead of Ashura. The religious commemoration of Ashura, which includes a ten-day mourning period starting on the first day of Muharram on the Islamic calendar, commemorates the seventh-century slaying of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein in Karbala. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES