Karbala: Shiite Muslims perform mourning rituals on the day of Arbaeen
Shiite Muslims perform mourning rituals in the central Iraqi holy city of Karbala on the day of Arbaeen. Every year, Shiite pilgrims converge in large numbers to the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala ahead of Arbaeen, which marks the 40th day after Ashura, commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein.
Shiite Muslims from all around the world have descended on the holy city of Karbala in Iraq for Arbaeen, the fortieth day after Imam Hussein’s martyrdom.
More than 14 million people are participating in the Arbeen procession this year according to Jassim al-Fatlawi, deputy governor of the holy city of Karbala.
According to local officials, a security plan has been launched and hospitality and healthcare services are available for the pilgrims.
The Arbaeen mourning ceremony is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Millions of Shiite Muslims perform mourning rituals in the central Iraqi holy city of Karbala on the day of Arbaeen. They converge in large numbers on the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala ahead of Arbaeen and set out on a symbolic 80-kilometer-long walk that begins from the holy city of Najaf in Iraq, where Imam Hussein’s (AS) father Imam Ali (AS)’s shrine is located, to the holy city of Karbala that houses Imam Hussein’s (AS) shrine.
Arbaeen marks the 40th day after Ashura, commemorating the seventh century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam, and his 72 companions in the Battle of Karbala.
