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Shia pilgrims flock to Kerbala for Arbaeen climax | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Huge numbers of Shia Muslim pilgrims have gathered in the Iraqi city of Kerbala for the climax of a key festival, despite threats of violence. | |
Iraq says up to 17 million made the pilgrimage over 40 days this year, more than a million from Iran, and many remain for the ceremony of Arbaeen. | |
Tight security aimed to prevent attacks by Islamic State and other Sunni militant groups. | Tight security aimed to prevent attacks by Islamic State and other Sunni militant groups. |
Arbaeen commemorates the death of a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. | Arbaeen commemorates the death of a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. |
The ceremony is held to mark the death of Imam Hussain, who died in battle at Kerbala. | The ceremony is held to mark the death of Imam Hussain, who died in battle at Kerbala. |
He was killed in a 7th Century battle for the leadership of the Muslim world, a defining event that helped seal the schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims. | He was killed in a 7th Century battle for the leadership of the Muslim world, a defining event that helped seal the schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims. |
There have been no reports of major incidents at this year's Arbaeen. | There have been no reports of major incidents at this year's Arbaeen. |
The governor of Kerbala called the success of the pilgrimage "one of the chapters of victories" against Islamic State (IS). | The governor of Kerbala called the success of the pilgrimage "one of the chapters of victories" against Islamic State (IS). |
IS regards Shia Muslims as heretics and regularly targets them in attacks throughout Iraq. | IS regards Shia Muslims as heretics and regularly targets them in attacks throughout Iraq. |