Millions descending on Karbala, Najaf for Arbaeen By: Ismail Zabeeh

Photos of Youm-e-Arbaeen 20th Safar, 1424 - 23rd Apr, 2003

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Millions of Muslims, for the first time in 26 years, are descending in forms of caravans and groups on the holy city of Karbala to mark the fortieth of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW)’s grandson Hazrat Imam Hussain bin Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib (AS) this weekend.

Tens of thousands of the faithful have already arrived here in the holy city of Karbala, which houses the mausoleums of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his brother Hazrat Abul Fazlil Abbas (AS). Speculation says eight to ten million will gather here to commemorate the occasion. While tens of thousands are making their way to the southern-central holy city of Najaf where the holy shrine of Ameerul Momineen Hazrat Imam Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib (AS) is situated marking Arbaeen.

The pilgrims including men, women and children from across Iraq carrying green and black flags and performing chest beating are arriving on foot, sometimes without shoes. Refreshment stands, sleeping spots and makeshift mosques have been set up in the shade of palm trees on the route to felicitate the pilgrims who are zealous to reach the holy Shrines where this year heavy Qama-Zani will be witnessed like past.

For the first time in a quarter century Iraqis are again able to commemorate the Arbaeen, or the 40th of Imam Hussain (AS), with processions to the holy city of Karbala. Under Saddam regime, every type of processions, demonstrations and protests were banned.

10 million marks Arbaeen in Karbala; Largest gathering of the century

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: An estimated 10 million mourning pilgrims regardless of sect commemorated Arbaeen-e-Hussaini on Wednesday in the holy city of Karbala to pay rich homage to the Chief of the Martyrs Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).

It was the largest religious gathering of this century.

Led by a number of Grand Ayaat and representatives of Al-Hawzah Al-Ilmiyah An-Najaf Al-Ashraf (Islamic Seminary of Holy City of Najaf), the mourning pilgrims came forth from the holy shrines of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his brother Hazrat Abul Fazlil Abbas (AS) pounding their chests and heads.

Throughout the night of Arbaeen, Azadari of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), grandson of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) continued at the Shrines of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS) offering thanks in the court of Allah and Imams (AS) that they achieved the honour of visiting the Shrines.

Taken from www.jafariyanews.com