Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Jalal Talabani commemorated the anniversary of Ashura, calling for nationwide political unity, collective action, and the strengthening of social brotherhood.

“The anniversary of Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) and his companions. It serves as a reminder of the triumph of truth over injustice and exemplifies sacrifice to preserve the sacred values of Islam,” Talabani said in a statement on Thursday.

He noted that Ashura carries “profound humanitarian lessons and meanings of devotion,” through which efforts are directed toward establishing justice and pursuing the path of reform.

Talabani Urges Collective Action for a Brighter Future 

“On this solemn occasion, we emphasize the importance of unity and collective action to serve our people,” he added.

The PUK president emphasized that the commemoration will “strengthen our brotherhood and coexistence for a brighter future, and solidify the sacred principles for which sacrifices were made.”

Millions of Pilgrims Gather in Karbala for Ashura Amid Tight Security

Ashura is a major religious observance marking the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which millions commemorate the 7th-century martyrdom of Imam Hussein.

The city of Karbala and other Iraqi provinces are scheduled to host millions of pilgrims tomorrow for the annual Ashura commemorations. To protect participants, security forces and tens of thousands of volunteers have implemented a strict security plan.

 According to official Iranian state media, over three million Iranian nationals have arrived in Iraq to participate in the commemorations.