Hundreds of Shia Muslims are set to take part in a religious procession through Leicester city center to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). The annual Muharram procession will take place this year on Saturday, July 5, beginning at Town Hall Square and concluding at Jubilee Square.

The event, organized by the Duxbury Road Mosque in Humberstone, marks a solemn occasion in the Islamic calendar and honors the life, values, and sacrifice of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala over 1,300 years ago.

Dressed in black, men, women, and children will participate in the procession as an expression of collective mourning and a reminder of Hussain’s enduring stand for justice, compassion, and human dignity.

Procession organizer Ali Abbas Rajani said, “We are remembering a saint called Hussain and the values and principles he stood for. Across every land and time, for every nation and race, Hussain’s story offers inspiration—encouraging people to recognize oppression and take even small steps to speak and act against it.”

He noted that this marks the 33rd year the procession has taken place in Leicester, though the global commemoration of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom has continued for over 13 centuries.

“The procession is a reminder,” Rajani added. “We do it annually to keep his memory alive, to spread his values, and to inspire others to give back to society. Whether it's standing for human rights, helping the poor and homeless, caring for orphans, or simply spreading love and compassion. Hussain’s example speaks to all of us.”

He concluded by emphasizing the universality of Imam Hussain’s message, “Hussain can be a source of inspiration for anyone. If even one person makes a small positive change in their life or contributes something meaningful to their community because of what they’ve learned from Hussain’s life, we would consider that a great success. His message is not confined to one religion or community—it is a message for all humanity.”