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Shia pilgrims flock to Karbala for Arbaeen climax | Shia pilgrims flock to Karbala for Arbaeen climax |
(about 1 month later) | |
Huge numbers of Shia Muslim pilgrims gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala at the climax of a key festival, despite threats of violence. | Huge numbers of Shia Muslim pilgrims gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala at 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 remained for the ceremony of Arbaeen. | Iraq says up to 17 million made the pilgrimage over 40 days this year, more than a million from Iran, and many remained for the ceremony of Arbaeen. |
Tight security aimed to prevent attacks by Islamic State (IS) and other groups. | |
Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. | |
Hussein, the third Shia Imam, was killed in battle at Karbala in the 7th Century. | |
His martyrdom is considered a defining event in the schism between Sunnis 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 Akeel al-Turaihi praised the peaceful conclusion of the pilgrimage. | The governor of Kerbala Akeel al-Turaihi praised the peaceful conclusion of the pilgrimage. |
"We think that the successes of this visitation (pilgrimage) is one of the chapters of victories achieved by our armed forces and volunteers against IS" he said. | "We think that the successes of this visitation (pilgrimage) is one of the chapters of victories achieved by our armed forces and volunteers against IS" he said. |
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. |
On Friday, a mortar targeting a Shia mosque north of Baghdad killed eight people. | On Friday, a mortar targeting a Shia mosque north of Baghdad killed eight people. |
Arbaeen: Then and now | Arbaeen: Then and now |