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Iraqi actors in Baghdad perform a passion play depicting the 7th-century martyrdom of Imam Hussein, a revered figure for Shiite Muslims, Dec. 25, 2009. Related story (Hannah Allam/MCT)
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An Iraqi actor plays Imam Hussein in the passion play. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis carried out rituals associated with Ashoura, an important holiday that insurgents tried to disrupt with attacks. Related story (Hannah Allam/MCT)
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Iraqi boys watch the passion play. Related story (Hannah Allam/MCT)
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Zaineb Abbas, a Shiite Muslim from Baghdad, displays a silver shield and helmet used in reenactments depicting Imam Hussein's martyrdom. Related story (Hannah Allam/MCT)
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Iraqi children in Baghdad dress in mourning clothes commemorating Imam Hussein's martyrdom. Related story (Hannah Allam/MCT)
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An Iraqi youth in Baghdad holds a poster of the modern-day rebel Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al Sadr. Related story (Laith Hammoudi/MCT)
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Shiite Muslims in Baghdad form an Ashoura procession. Related story (Laith Hammoudi/MCT)
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Shiite Muslims in Baghdad form an Ashoura procession. Related story (Laith Hammoudi/MCT)
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An Iraqi man in Baghdad stirs a vat of qima, a traditional stew of lamb and garbanzo beans that's served Ashoura. Related story (Hannah Allam/MCT)
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Redha al Zubeidi, 65, caretaker of the popular Sayyid Idris shrine in Baghdad, stands in the shrine's courtyard during Ashoura preparations. Related story (Hannah Allam/MCT)
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An Iraqi woman walks in the courtyard of the Sayyid Idris shrine in Baghdad. Related story (Hannah Allam/MCT)
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