Hundreds donate blood in Basra on Ashura to support patients in need

BASRA — Between 600 and 700 people donated blood at Basra’s central blood bank on Ashura as part of an annual campaign aimed at supporting patients with cancer and hereditary blood disorders, including thalassemia. The initiative was held under the slogan “Husseini blood gives life to others.”

Organized in coordination with youth groups and volunteer teams, the campaign seeks to build up blood supplies for the months ahead. Additional services such as food distribution and crowd management were provided to support participation.

“We are collecting all blood types in support of those with thalassemia and genetic blood diseases,” said Maha al-Mahfoudh, director of the Basra blood bank.

Ashura, observed on the 10th day of Muharram—the first month of the Islamic calendar—commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Shia Muslims mark the occasion with mourning rituals, including processions, elegy recitations, and reenactments of the Battle of Karbala.

Lab assistant Hisham Abdul-Muttalib said the drive is a recurring collaboration with local activists. “We’re ready to supply all Basra hospitals with blood for cancer and hereditary blood disease patients,” he said.

Volunteer Karar Haidar described the event as a humanitarian expression of religious devotion. “We distribute food and organize the donation process,” he said. “Imam Hussein, to us, is a humanitarian message.”

Khaled al-Mubarak, a participant, noted that the campaign has been running for 16 years. “Our goal is to deliver a message—providing humanitarian service to everyone,” he said.