Hawzah News Agency - (Najaf - Iraq) - The General Secretariat of the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali (PBUH) in Najaf held the official ceremony to raise the flag of grief and condolences for the month of Muharram commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), in the presence of the Secretary-General Eng. Yusuf Mahdi Al-Sheikh Radhi, his deputy Radhwan Saheb, members of the Board of Directors of the Holy Shrine, representatives of the grand religious Marjas, the governor of Najaf, Mr. Louay Al-Yasiri, the chief of Najaf police the Brigadier Fayeq al-Fatlawi, a group of officials and leaders of the security services, official and social figures, heads of the departments of the Holy Shrine and a large gathering of pilgrims.

The ceremony was begun by reciting verses of the Holy Quran by the reciter Mohammed Mustafa Qatad. Afterwards, the crowd recited the ziyarah of Imam Ali (PBUH) and Imam Hussein (PBUT).

The Secretary-General of the Holy Shrine delivered a speech stressing that "Imam Hussein (PBUH) paved the way of honor, pride and glory. He taught the generations how blood triumphs over the sword. He was a school for those who wanted to learn how to stand against the tyrants and oppressor."

The Secretary General delivered the flag of Imam Hussein to his deputy to raise it next to the dome of Imam Ali (PBUH) marking the beginning of the month of sadness.