The Cairo Directorate of Religious Endowments decided to shut down historic Hussein Mosque on Tuesday where Shiites celebrate the festival of Ashura, Youm7 reported on Tuesday.
The mosque will resume opening on Wednesday; the decision came after Sunni salafists called for mobbing outside the mosque in anticipation of any Shiite presence.
Police have tightened security measures around the mosque; the Day of Ashura is one of the most significant Shia holidays as it commemorates the deaths of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson Hussein.
Shia followers have a tradition of self-flagellating and wounding themselves in squares in a show of mourning.
