HUNDREDS of people from across the country took to the streets of Bradford for an annual procession to mark the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson more than 1,400 years ago.

Shia Muslims from Luton, Birmingham and London joined the crowds outside Anjuman e Haideria, St Mary’s Road, Manningham, to commemorate the death of Husayn ibn Ali.

The four-hour, two-mile procession went round the streets of Manningham today, including St Mary’s Road, Skinner Lane and Heaton Road.

The procession was held to mark the beheading of Husayn ibn Ali, killed with 72 of his companions on October 10, 680 AD, on the desert plains of Karbala in Iraq. His action at Karbala fuelled the later Shia movements.

Dr Syed Hamdani, event organiser and president of Anjuman e Haideria, said: “It’s important for us to celebrate it every year. It’s a sad day for us.

“We want to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn. We try to commemorate that heinous crime in Islamic history.”

Ali Shah, who travelled from Luton to attend the procession, said: “It was important for me to come to Bradford today.

“We wanted to tell people about the Prophet’s grandson’s death.”

Georgi Majid, of Bradford, who also attended the procession, said: “We weep and mourn for Iman Husayn at this gathering.

“There were hundreds of people here. It is a peaceful procession.”

Similar processions are held by Shia Muslims across the world to commemorate Husayn ibn Ali’s death.