According to al-Bawaba news agency, an informed source said the security measures will be underway for three days, from Wednesday to Friday.

The mosque will be opened for congregational prayers half an hour before the prayers and closed afterwards, the source added.

During Muharram, the first month in the lunar Hijri calendar, Shia Muslims around the world hold ceremonies to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala in the year 680 AD.

Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions were martyred on Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, which falls on September 20 this year.

There is a small Shia population in Egypt. The Arab country has been witnessing a rise in hate crimes against Shias, which observers believe is due to the widespread anti-Shia propaganda by Wahhabi and Salafist elements.