Hundreds of Muslims paraded through the city streets in a traditional mourning ceremony.

The procession was to mark the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, the grandson of the prophet Mohammad.

The event, on Sunday, started at the Masjid-Al-Husayn mosque, in Humberstone, Leicester.

Women and children followed the men, who beat their chests in mourning over the murder.

Imam Husayn was killed more than 1,300 years ago in Iraq, along with his family and followers after refusing to pledge allegiance to Yazid, a tyrannical Arab leader.

Zainab Hussain, 38, who took part in the march, said: "It's a lesson to us all about how people can rise and become better than angels or fall and become lower than beasts. This is a time for us to ponder and cry for peace, justice and human dignity."

Fatima Mawji, 40, of Humberstone, said: "Every year it is a big procession and there are people from all over – Bradford, Manchester, Peterborough and other places.

"After the parade, we go back to the mosque and eat to remember how the followers of Imam Husayn fed the poor in the name of Allah."

The day was the climax of almost two months of mourning, which began on December 27.

Before the procession began, there were talks and readings at the mosque in Duxbury Road.

The 800 worshippers marched through Spence Street, St Barnabas Road, Green Lane Road and Bridge Road, while holy texts telling the story of Imam Husayn were recited from a loudspeaker in a van.

Organiser Nabil Awan, who is an Islamic student, said he was very pleased with the turnout.

He said: "There are people from all over the region here and similar things are happening in London and all over the world.

"It is an important day for Muslims and also for some Hindus, too, because Mahatma Gandhi was inspired by Imam Husayn."