Millions flock to Iraqi city of Karbala for Arbaeen pilgrimage

Annual event is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, drawing mainly Shiite faithful

Shiite Muslim devotees reach to receive a blessing from the tomb of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, at the Imam's shrine in Iraq's central holy city of Karbala on September 6, 2023, during the Arbaeen religious festival commemorating his seventh century killing. (Photo by Hussein Faleh / AFP)

Shiite Muslim pilgrims walk through the city of Al Khidr in Iraq's southern Muthanna governorate.

Shiite Muslim pilgrims walk through the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province.

Shiite Muslim pilgrims march from Baghdad towards the shrine city of Karbala.

Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims walk along a muddy shore on the Gulf to the holy city of Kerbala.

A Shiite Muslim pilgrim waves a flag as he walks in mud near the Gulf waters at the start of his march from Iraq's southern city of Al Faw towards Karbala.

Water drips from the hair of a Shiite Muslim pilgrim after bathing in the Gulf waters at the start of his march from Iraq's southern city of Al Faw towards Karbala.

Members of the scouting movement and other Shiite Muslim devotees march in Lebanon's eastern city of Baalbeck.

Shiite pilgrims mark the holiday of Arbaeen.

Men distribute fruits to Shiite Muslim pilgrims marching from Baghdad towards the shrine city of Karbala.

Shiite pilgrims mark the holiday of Arbaeen,

Shiite pilgrims mark the holiday of Arbaeen.

Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims take part in a mourning ceremony.

Shiite pilgrims mark the holiday of Arbaeen.

Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims attend prayers during the holy Shi'ite ritual of Arbaeen at the shrine of Imam Hussein, in the holy city of Kerbala.

Shiite Muslim pilgrims take part in the Arbaeen religious festival in the shrine city of Karbala.

Shiite Muslim pilgrims take part in the Arbaeen religious festival in the shrine city of Karbala.

Millions of Shiite Muslims have converged on the Iraqi city of Karbala to observe the Arbaeen pilgrimage.

The annual event marks the end of the 40-day mourning period commemorating the death of the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and seventh-century Shiite Imam Hussein.

It is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, drawing mainly Shiite faithful to Karbala, where Imam Hussein and his brother Imam Abbas are buried.

Arbaeen, which means “40” in Arabic, is a tradition deeply rooted in Shiite Islam. It symbolises the end of the mourning period that begins with the holy day of Ashura, during which Imam Hussein and his companions were killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.

Imam Hussein opposed the Damascus-based second Umayyad caliph Yazid Ibn Muawiyah, moving from Madinah to outside Karbala in modern-day Iraq.

His death holds a great significance for Shiite Muslims and Arbaeen brings together people from all walks of life.

At least three million foreign pilgrims have entered Iraq, mainly from Iran, the Gulf, Lebanon, Pakistan, India and western nations, Iraqi Interior Ministry figures have shown.

Religious authorities in Karbala put the number of pilgrims who entered the city over the past 20 days at 22 million, without giving a breakdown of their nationalities.

“There are no countries, no governments and no billions spent to bring all these people here, but it is the love of Hussein which ignites in their hearts that drove them to come out,” Saudi-Tunisian Sheikh Ahmed Salman told the local Al Anwar TV.

For days, many of the pilgrims from within Iraq or neighbouring countries walk long distances to reach the city of Karbala, nestled on the banks of Euphrates River, south of Baghdad.

While on the road to Karbala, the black-clad pilgrims, some of whom have babies in strollers, wear caps or put wet cloths on their heads to prevent sunburn. Some hold flags and banners.

Once they arrive at the ornately decorated and gold-domed shrine, they start beating their heads and chests and shouting rhymes, while some flog themselves with chains.

The shrines are adorned with vibrant banners and illuminated with mainly red and black lights.

Along the roads to Karbala, Iraqis set up tents to offer free meals and cold drinks for pilgrims. Some volunteers offer massages to pilgrims, a place to rest during their arduous journey and splash them with water to cool them down.

Organising an event of this magnitude comes with its share of challenges. Iraqi authorities, in collaboration with various local and foreign Shiite religious groups, have worked to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims.

Iraqi security forces have been stationed along the pilgrimage routes and helicopters hover overhead to protect participants. Medical sites have been set up to provide assistance to those in need.

Iraq’s ageing infrastructure, battered by decades of war, neglect and mismanagement, continues to create issues for authorities and pilgrims.

Dozens of pilgrims, mainly Iranians, have died this year in car accidents, while border authorities have struggled to cope with the number of visitors.