For more than 170 years, Big Hosay Night has transformed the streets of St James into a place of remembrance.
Each year, the community comes alive as thousands gather to honour the martyrs of Karbala during Big Hosay Night.
Big Hosay Night and the Day of Ashura are, in Islamic tradition, one continuous observance.
The towering, intricately decorated tadjahs represent the tomb of Imam Hussain and the martyrs of Karbala. Many line the streets to view the handcrafted replicas as they move through the community.
Surrounding the tadjahs are the moons, symbolising the brothers Hussain, Hassan and Abbas, with their ceremonial dance among the most anticipated moments of the night.
At midnight, each tadjah is blessed with a symbolic kiss from the moons.
For devotees, the procession is also a sacred promise fulfilled.
Unable to make the pilgrimage to Karbala, generations past vowed to honour Imam Hussain by constructing tadjahs as enduring symbols of remembrance.
The daytime procession includes prayers at the Queen’s Royal College grounds before the tadjahs continue their final journey through the streets of St James.