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Iran's president talks marking Muharram, strengthened anti-COVID measures in provinces

Society Materials 2 August 2020 19:22 (UTC +04:00)
Iran's president talks marking Muharram, strengthened anti-COVID measures in provinces

TEHRAN, Iran, Aug.2

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Iran is to announce necessary health instructions for the Mourning of Muharram in the coming week, said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

"The health protocols for the Mourning of Muharram should be implemented at mosques and those who violate instruction would be confronted," said Rouhani.

"All the Health Ministry's regulations continue to be implemented until vaccine is discovered, the government's approach to fight the coronavirus has not changed," he said.

"The statistics show the infections in ten provinces have become under control and these provinces have passed the infection peak," he said.

"In the current situation wearing a mask is mandatory and everyone should follow it in public transportation and offices. Large gatherings including weddings, funerals and conferences are banned. If the situation improves, it is possible that some gatherings would be allowed," he said.

"We have given authority to provinces to implement more restrictions to prevent Coronavirus spread," he added.

The Mourning of Muharram is a set of commemoration rituals observed by Shia Muslims, as well as some non-Muslims. The commemoration falls in Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala (AD 680/AH 61), when Imam Hussein ibn Ali, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was martyred by the forces of the second Umayyad caliph. Family members and companions accompanying him were either killed or subjected to humiliation.

The commemoration of this event during the yearly mourning season, with the Day of Ashura as the focal date, serves to define Shia communal identity. Muharram observances are carried out in countries with a sizable Shia population.

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