AMMAN, Jordan, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Holy Shiite shrines in Jordan were empty of pilgrims during the sacred Ashura season this year, according to religious authorities.
An Official from the Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ministry in charge of southern Jordan's holy shrines, Firas Abu Khait, said his agency had prepared a complete program to receive the visitors of the shrines during Ashura.
Ashura is one of the Shiites' holiest ceremonies during which they mourn the martyrdom of Hussein bin Ali, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, at the Karbala battle in 680 AD. Shiites believe Hussein was third Imam and rightful successor to the Prophet.
Abu Khait said he did not know why only a few people showed up at the tomb site of Jaafar al-Tayyar, a companion of Prophet Mohammad revered by the Shiites, in the Kerak province of the kingdom. In the past 13 years, thousands of people, mainly Iraqis, have flocked to pray and mourn at the shrine to mark Ashura.
Officials said the authorities beefed up security around the holy shrines sacred to Shiites. But the security measures appeared short of assuring potential pilgrims safety from hostile or vengeful acts after reports that Kerak residents were preparing to prevent them from reaching the shrines in the aftermath of toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's execution on Dec. 30.
The execution of Saddam, widely popular among predominantly Sunni Jordanians, seemed to have spiked a wave of hatred toward the Shiites -- accused of having "lynched" the man. Kerak was the first area in the kingdom to have held memorial ceremonies mourning Saddam's death.
Jordan's population of 5.6 million is largely made up of Sunni Muslims, with a Christian minority.
