In pictures: Iraq's Shia rebirth

1 of 7 This is a time of ritual mourning for the Shia of Iraq, marking the death of their martyr Imam Hussein.

2 of 7 The faithful scourge themselves to show solidarity with the founder of their branch of Islam, put to death at Karbala.

3 of 7 But at night the frenzy gives way to contemplation in vigils at the great mosque of Imam Hussein.

4 of 7 People who have made their way here from all over Iraq, many barefoot, linger long at the mosque.

5 of 7 Pilgrims will be contemplating a war which freed their faith from Saddam's oppression but brought new challenges to Iraq.

6 of 7 Some Shia are still burying their war dead, having brought them to the great shrines of Karbala and Najaf.

7 of 7 But, amid the grief, there is also celebration at the chance to practise the Shia rite openly at last.