Security Tight as Millions of Iraqis Head for Karbala
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Security is tight in Iraq where millions of Shiite Muslims are making their way toward the holy city of Karbala to commemorate Arba’een.
Black-clad mourners are walking toward Karbala, where they will take part in the mourning ceremonies around Imam Hussein’s shrine next weekend.
Iraqi forces have tightened security to protect pilgrims against terrorist attacks ahead of the mourning rituals.
The Arbaeen ceremony, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, falls on December 13 this year.
Meanwhile, over 750,000 Iranian pilgrims have travelled to Iraq to participate in Arbaeen ceremony in the holy city of Karbala.
It marks 40 days after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and the third Shiite Imam.
Imam Hussein and 72 of his loyal companions, including family members, were martyred on Ashura, the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram, in the battle of Karbala against the second Umayyad caliph, Yazid I, in 680 A.D. Imam Hussein was killed after he refused to pledge allegiance to the tyrant ruler.