This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6938068.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Security tight for Iraq pilgrims | Security tight for Iraq pilgrims |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A huge security operation is under way in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, ahead of a pilgrimage that is expected to draw more than a million Shia faithful. | A huge security operation is under way in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, ahead of a pilgrimage that is expected to draw more than a million Shia faithful. |
Nearly 2,000 police and security agents are guarding the Kadhimiya mosque in northern Baghdad, and all traffic has been banned in the area. | Nearly 2,000 police and security agents are guarding the Kadhimiya mosque in northern Baghdad, and all traffic has been banned in the area. |
Each year many Shias walk to the shrine where the 8th Century saint, Imam Musa al-Kadhim, is said to be buried. | Each year many Shias walk to the shrine where the 8th Century saint, Imam Musa al-Kadhim, is said to be buried. |
Almost 1,000 pilgrims died in 2005 when rumours of an attack caused a stampede. | Almost 1,000 pilgrims died in 2005 when rumours of an attack caused a stampede. |
Many victims, mostly women, children or elderly, were crushed or drowned as panic spread that there were suicide bombers among the pilgrims. | Many victims, mostly women, children or elderly, were crushed or drowned as panic spread that there were suicide bombers among the pilgrims. |
Undercover officers | Undercover officers |
More than 1,800 Iraqi police, including hundreds of security agents, have been deployed in and around the mosque, which is one of Shia Islam's holiest sites. | More than 1,800 Iraqi police, including hundreds of security agents, have been deployed in and around the mosque, which is one of Shia Islam's holiest sites. |
New checkpoints have been established in the area to deter possible insurgent attacks, especially in places where large crowds gather. | New checkpoints have been established in the area to deter possible insurgent attacks, especially in places where large crowds gather. |
The Iraqi security forces also say they will be using undercover officers to mingle among the pilgrims. | The Iraqi security forces also say they will be using undercover officers to mingle among the pilgrims. |
American troops are keeping a low profile, staying away from the shrine out of religious sensitivity, the US military say. | American troops are keeping a low profile, staying away from the shrine out of religious sensitivity, the US military say. |
'Show of power' | 'Show of power' |
The mosque has long been a target of insurgents, the BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad says. | The mosque has long been a target of insurgents, the BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad says. |
Many Shias flog themselves during the pilgrimage | |
The pilgrimage marks the death in 799 of Musa al-Kadhim, the seventh of 12 imams revered by Shias. | The pilgrimage marks the death in 799 of Musa al-Kadhim, the seventh of 12 imams revered by Shias. |
On Thursday, more than a million pilgrims are expected to march to the mosque, many flogging themselves with iron chains or cutting their foreheads with swords. | On Thursday, more than a million pilgrims are expected to march to the mosque, many flogging themselves with iron chains or cutting their foreheads with swords. |
These grieving rituals were banned under former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. | These grieving rituals were banned under former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. |
But now they are something of a show of power for Shias in Iraq, our correspondent says. | But now they are something of a show of power for Shias in Iraq, our correspondent says. |