Annual Shiitic ritual Mourning march on Sunday through Bonn’s Wenzelgasse
Bonn · This Sunday, several hundred Shiitic mourners will march through the city centre of Bonn again, in commemoration of the killed Imam Ali. Approximately 300 participants from all over Germany are expected to show their grief through self-flagellation.
This Sunday, several hundred Shiitic mourners will march through the city centre of Bonn again, in commemoration of the killed Imam Ali. Approximately 300 participants from all over Germany are expected to show their grief through self-flagellation, according to police information.
The annual march takes place between 2 and 7pm. During the march, which the participants do with naked upper bodies, they sing dirges, carry a mock coffin and slap themselves on the breast. The Shiites believe that Imam Ali was the actual legitimate successor of the prophet Mohammed.
The police is not expecting any traffic restrictions as the march takes place entirely in the pedestrian zone. Accessing apartments and business premises should be possible, though brief interference might be possible. In the past, participants came from all over Europe to this event. The Bonn police are expecting a peaceful demonstration. Original text: ga Translation: Mareike Graepel
