Karbala declares Thursday public holiday for 9th Muharram commemorations

KARBALA, Iraq — Authorities in Karbala have declared Thursday a public holiday across official institutions to mark the 9th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Under the decision, government offices and public bodies in the holy city will suspend services for the day. Karbala receives large numbers of visitors at the start of Muharram each year for commemorations marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. The city sees its heaviest crowds on the 9th and 10th of the month, known as Tasua and Ashura. The Karbala administration said the holiday is intended to help organize public services and ensure the smooth running of security and logistics arrangements during the commemorations. Commemoration programs, security measures and service coordination are being carried out across the city, officials said. Residents and visitors have been advised to take the new arrangements into account before visiting government offices during the period.