22 million Shiite Muslim pilgrims head to Iraq’s holy Karbala
Shiite Muslim pilgrims gather between the shrines of Imam Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas and Imam Hussein in Iraq’s central holy city of Karbala. Photo: AFP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Around 22 million Shiite Muslim pilgrims headed to the Iraqi city of Karbala on Wednesday to commemorate Arbaeen, an annual Shiite religious gathering.
The number of Iranian visitors participating in the event is four million, compared to three million in 2022, a senior security official told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
The event marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, by the forces of the caliph Yazid in 680 AD.
Shiite Muslims constitute the majority of the population in both Iraq and Iran.
The holy city of Karbala represents the heart of Shiite Islam. It is where Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas are buried in two massive shrines that face one another.
Pilgrims openly demonstrate their sadness by weeping and crying in memory of Imam Hussein.
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, followed up on the implementation of the security plan for the Arbaeen event in Karbala, according to a statement issued by his office.
In a press conference held in Karbala, Al-Sudani expressed appreciation for the efforts exerted by the ministries of electricity, health, oil, transport, and trade to make the annual event successful.