Number of Shia Muslims Converging on Karbala Nears 20 Million
TEHRAN (IQNA) – Some 20 million Shia Muslims from Iraq and other countries have gathered in the holy city of Karbala ahead of Arbaeen.
According to Nasif al-Khatabi, an official with Karbala governor’s office, 16 million Iraqis and over 3.5 million pilgrims from other parts of the world have attended rituals marking Arbaeen, al-Furat news website reported.
He said the number is expected to rise by Monday, which has been announced as the day of Arbaeen in Iraq.
Al-Khatabi went on to say that the number of foreign pilgrims is especially going to increase by tomorrow.
Arbaeen marks the 40th day after Ashura, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his faithful companions in the 680AD Battle of Karbala.
Each year, a huge crowd of Shias march toward Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.
