By STEVEN R. HURST By Steven R. Hurst The Associated Press BAGHDAD Hundreds of thousands of Shiite Muslims clambered aboard buses or began trekking homeward on foot Saturday at the end of Ashoura, a 10- day ritual to cleanse the spirit and scourge the body in honor of their founding saint.

By Christopher Chester BAGHDAD -- Violence left nearly 50 people dead in two major southern cities Friday when members of a shadowy, messianic cult attacked police and fellow Shiite worshippers -- a year after a similar plot was foiled during Shiite Islam's most important holiday.

BAGHDAD _ Haider al-Hussein, a merchant in Baghdad's popular Shorja market, wrapped his head in a black turban, donned a green uniform and, sword in scabbard, began the fight between good and evil before an audience of Shiite Muslims.

By BASSEM MROUE BAGHDAD, Iraq - Bombers struck Sh

A suicide bomber struck Thursday in Pakistan on the holiest festival for Shiite Muslims, triggering a riot that left a town in flames and at least 32 people dead.