Millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims gather in Iraq for Arbaeen | Religion News

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Pilgrims in Karbala maintain up Palestinian flags amid the warfare in Gaza as they mark annual mourning for martyrdom of Imam Hussein.

Greater than 21 million Shia Muslims took half within the Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq this 12 months, marking the fortieth day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and a founding determine in Shia Islam.

The occasion peaked on Sunday, with attendees displaying their help for Gaza.

Arbaeen, which suggests 40 in Arabic, is likely one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings and a significant occasion for Shia Muslims, who’re the bulk in Iraq and Iran.

Shiite Muslim devotees gather between the shrines of Imam Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas (background) and Imam Hussein (not pictured) in Iraq's central holy city of Karbala on August 24, 2024, during Arbaeen commemorations marking the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein Bin Ali. (Photo by Mohammed SAWAF / AFP)
Shia Muslim devotees collect between the shrines of Imam Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas (background) and Imam Hussein (not pictured) in Iraq’s central holy metropolis of Karbala [Mohammed Sawaf/AFP]

Karbala, the place Hussein and his brother Abbas are buried in two monumental mausoleums dealing with one another, is the centre of the Shia world throughout this time.

Pilgrims freely specific their struggling, weeping and wailing in reminiscence of Hussein, who was killed in 680 throughout a battle in Karbala with the Umayyad caliph Yazid.

This 12 months, the occasions have included distinguished shows of Palestinian flags by pilgrims amid the warfare in Gaza.

“The full variety of Arbaeen pilgrims… reached 21,480,525,” the establishment that manages the Abbas mausoleum and is liable for the depend mentioned.

Amongst them had been about 3.5 million Iranian pilgrims, in line with official figures reported in Tehran.

Devotees lift flags of Palestine and wear traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarves to express support for Gaza, as they take part in a mourning ritual at the shrine of Imam Abu Al-Fadl al-Abbas in Iraq's Karbala on August 24, 2024, as Shiite Muslim pilgrims gather in the holy shrine city for the Arbaeen commemorations that mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein Bin Ali. (Photo by Mohammed SAWAF / AFP)
Shia Muslims present their help for Gaza as they collect within the holy shrine metropolis for the Arbaeen commemorations [Mohammed Sawaf/AFP]

Mohammed al-Tamimi, a 32-year-old pilgrim, instructed the AFP information company that the Palestinian flags waving among the many pilgrims had been “in help of our brothers in Palestine and in response to the Zionists, saying that Muslims stand as one in opposition to the Zionist actions and in opposition to the crimes happening in Gaza”.

Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October. An estimated 1,139 folks had been killed throughout a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7.

The Arbaeen celebrations, which at all times happen amid tight safety, drew about 22 million pilgrims final 12 months, in line with official figures. Iran offered probably the most overseas guests, with 4 million.

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