A religious procession in Melbourne's CBD has caused traffic chaos hours before almost 130,000 football fans descend on the city for sold-out AFL and NRL preliminary finals.

Traffic in Melbourne was brought to a standstill as up to 6000 Shiite Muslims marched through the CBD to honour the death of the prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, 1400 years ago.

Men and women prayed, chanted and carried flags and banners promoting peace and calling for an end to injustice and tyranny.

Shiite Muslims taking part in the Ashura procession in Melbourne. Credit:Chris Hopkins

The peaceful protest started at Carlton Gardens before the crowd weaved its way through the city, finishing at Flagstaff Gardens.