Millions of Pilgrims Come together in Karbala

:en.rafed.net

2012/01/11

1518

Nearly 5 millions pilgrims are converging on the city of Karbala to commemorate this year's 40th day of mourning for Imam Hussein.

The anniversary of Arbaeen (meaning the 40th) will reach its climax on Saturday, as pilgrims converge on Karbala where Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his brother, Hazrat Abbas, are buried.

Many of the pilgrims are making the 80-kilometer (50 mile) journey by foot from Baghdad under heavy security to mark the end of the 40 days of mourning that follow Ashura the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Iraqi officials have mounted an extensive security operation to protect the pilgrims, after three straight

Imam Hossein, the son of the first Imam, Ali, and the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, is the third Imam of Islam. He fought against cruelty, corruption and injustice and was martyred in the course of his heroic struggle.

Last year, about ten million pilgrims gathered in the city of Karbala for Arbaeen.