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Pilgrims march from the country's southern city of Nasiriyah in the Dhi Qar province to Karbala. AFP
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A pilgrim holds a Popular Mobilisation Forces flag outside the revered shrines of Imam Hussein and Abbas, the grandsons of the Prophet Mohammed, in Iraq. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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Pilgrims scramble to touch and kiss the protective bars of Imam Hussein's tomb. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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Travel restrictions have eased in Iraq, allowing people to attend the Arbaeen pilgrimage. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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The Al Taj hotel in Karbala prepares to welcome guests. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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Pilgrims enter the shrine of Imam Hussein. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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In the past, the holy day meant hotels like the Al Taj were fully booked. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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Hoping to see the tourists return this year, Ameer Bashir, 23, displays souvenirs in his shop in Karbala. Sinan Mahmoud / The National.
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A boy distributes sweets to Iraqi Shiite Muslim pilgrims marching from the southern port city of Basra to the holy city of Karbala, ahead of the Arbaeen festival. AFP
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Each year, pilgrims head to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala ahead of the festival. AFP
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A member of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitary forces offers coffee to a pilgrim. AFP
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Arbaeen marks the 40th day after Ashura, commemorating the seventh-century killing of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussein. AFP
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Pilgrims march from the country's southern city of Nasiriyah in the Dhi Qar province to Karbala. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RUOPDDX5W5GGPIEM7WTJXP3OYM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e4a3c4d7ac96614bf731258a4273be4cc0b176ee050a858c5e6503c957572101&width=400&height=225)
A pilgrim holds a Popular Mobilisation Forces flag outside the revered shrines of Imam Hussein and Abbas, the grandsons of the Prophet Mohammed, in Iraq. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I23IEZYDLZEHRC2QYMOV27YYQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c0a7053c17b12dccb2b3c2cf0a1e843f4c1221def859716c28057e76cd77c094&width=400&height=225)
Pilgrims scramble to touch and kiss the protective bars of Imam Hussein's tomb. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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Travel restrictions have eased in Iraq, allowing people to attend the Arbaeen pilgrimage. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BJWYVDWWVVCDHF4JYZT3CG7X2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=e45f4335498f3904b0a3d02de402f2fb583712db719650811b5bbb05e1072082&width=400&height=225)
The Al Taj hotel in Karbala prepares to welcome guests. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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Pilgrims enter the shrine of Imam Hussein. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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In the past, the holy day meant hotels like the Al Taj were fully booked. Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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Hoping to see the tourists return this year, Ameer Bashir, 23, displays souvenirs in his shop in Karbala. Sinan Mahmoud / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VDDOADJ76ZXM2SVDX7TQBN2SYE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f3450e240b1b8d3279c8c87925242e59d687a5b12fd7ac4b0fb8de2538f69c61&width=400&height=225)
A boy distributes sweets to Iraqi Shiite Muslim pilgrims marching from the southern port city of Basra to the holy city of Karbala, ahead of the Arbaeen festival. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7RBL5L6TVLCNT2OFNPPYPIGUE.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7dc809a223ed13e40c823d80543cf43e5a5b086e0c3955e783f1f32de68e185&width=400&height=225)
Each year, pilgrims head to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala ahead of the festival. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LADJMPZZO22MOBJ4A2ENBELK4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=acfec55f826808d21239ad47a355f707186f6a816464367ab7d387717c183304&width=400&height=225)
A member of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitary forces offers coffee to a pilgrim. AFP
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Arbaeen marks the 40th day after Ashura, commemorating the seventh-century killing of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussein. AFP
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Pilgrims march from the country's southern city of Nasiriyah in the Dhi Qar province to Karbala. AFP