AROUND 400 Muslims marched through Newport at the weekend to mark the death of a martyr in battle around 1,500 years ago.

The participants, many of whom were wearing black, braved wet and windy weather as they walked through the city centre on Saturday afternoon.

Members of Gwent's Muslim community marched from the Stow Hill Mosque, through Commercial Street and back again to honour Hussain, grandson of the prophet Mohammed, who dedicated his life to Islam.

It was the 27th such ceremony to be held in the city.

Sheikh Mohammad Tahir, chairman of the Islamic Society for Gwent, which organised the event, said: "It was terrible weather but it wasn't going to stop us taking part.

"It's very important to remember these events because they were recorded in the Koran 1,500 years ago."