Iraq Makes Its Most Sacred Islamic Holiday Official

Iraq declared June 25, 2026 a national holiday for Ashura, marking the death of Imam Hussein in 680 CE—the holiest day for Shia Muslims. For decades, the government banned public religious observance. Now Baghdad officially recognizes it and protects the massive pilgrimage to Karbala that draws tens of millions of worshippers. The shift shows Iraq's Shia-majority government no longer suppresses religious practice.