Photos by Mohammad Akhlaghi, ISNA

همايش بزرگ شيرخوارگان حسيني - قم

These photos are from Iranian toddlers who have been dressed up in religious ceremonial outfits as part of Muharram Mourning in Qom, Iran. The Mourning of Muharram is an important period of mourning in the Shi'a branch of Islam, taking place in Muharram which is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is also called the Remembrance of Muharram. Many of the events associated with the remembrance take place in congregation halls known as Hussainia.

Qom lies 156 kilometers by road southwest of Tehran and is the capital of Qom Province. It has an estimated population of 1,042,309 in 2005. It is situated on the banks of the Qom river.  Qom is considered to be a holy city in Shi`a Islam, as it is the site of the shrine of Fatema Massume, sister of Imam Imam Reza (789-816 A.D.). The city is the largest center for Shi'a scholarship in the world, and is a significant destination of pilgrimage.

... Payvand News - 01/02/09 ... --