Tyre marks Muharram holy month after destruction from Israel-Hezbollah war

In the battered southern Lebanese city of Tyre, Iman Dilbani wore a yellow scarf honoring her son, who died fighting for Hezbollah. She wept during a religious sermon held during the Islamic holy month of Muharram. Tyre, Lebanon's fourth-largest city, lies in ruins, a testament to the devastating Israel-Hezbollah war that reportedly reached a ceasefire Friday.

Damaged buildings and structures reduced to rubble are visible on nearly every street following intense Israeli airstrikes. Muharram, one of the holiest months for Shiite Muslims, commemorates the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, and his companions. Dilbani and hundreds of others gathered Friday in a lot in the coastal city for a mourning ceremony, many wearing scarves or holding portraits of relatives killed.

Portraits of Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Kassem and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei were displayed prominently. Attendees wore black, mirroring funeral attire, as they listened to sermons. Some residents placed banners bearing Hussein's name on the ruins of their homes. The mourning for Hussein and his companions culminates on Ashoura, the tenth day of Muharram, observed by millions worldwide.

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Given what has been happening in our world today, and seeing the martyrs and the destruction, no human mind can bear all of that unless they are a believer in the teachings of Imam Hussein

"Given what has been happening in our world today, and seeing the martyrs and the destruction, no human mind can bear all of that unless they are a believer in the teachings of Imam Hussein," said Sheikh Abdulkareem al-Rahi, an event organizer. He explained that Shiite Muslims believe Hussein's values teach steadfastness and the importance of fighting injustice. Dilbani echoed this sentiment, stating, "We learned from Imam Hussein's teachings the struggle and martyrdom, and to stay on his path and to offer our youth. I have three more sons, and I am willing to offer more of them if there is a need."

Lebanon has been seeking a ceasefire, and a U.S. agreement with Iran includes ending hostilities in the country. However, Hezbollah has indicated it will continue fighting as long as Israel persists with its strikes. The war, which began after Hezbollah fired rockets toward northern Israel on March 2, has led to massive Israeli aerial bombardments, flattening large areas of southern and eastern Lebanon and displacing over one million Lebanese. Israeli ground forces also invaded parts of southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, nearly 4,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, while Hezbollah has launched rockets and drone attacks into northern Israel.

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We learned from Imam Hussein's teachings the struggle and martyrdom, and to stay on his path and to offer our youth. I have three more sons, and I am willing to offer more of them if there is a need.