Iraq steps up security ahead of holiest day
Iraq partially sealed its land borders today as part of stepped-up security on the eve of the holiest day of the Shiite Muslim calendar as violence persisted unabated around the country.
Shiites are celebrating the Islamic holy month of Muharram and tomorrow is Ashoura, the 10th day of Muharram and the holiest day of the year for them. The day marks the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the prophet Muhammad, in a 7th century battle for leadership of the Islamic world.
