Iranian Shiite Muslims on Tuesday commemorated Ashoura, a remembrance of the 7th century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, that gave birth to their faith.

Over 1,340 years after Hussein's death, Tehran and other cities across the country were adorned with symbols of Shiite piety and repentance. Red flags represented Hussein's blood, black funeral tents and clothes indicated mourning, and processions of chest-beating and self-flagellating men expressed fervor. Some sprayed water over the mourners in the intense heat.