Shiite pilgrims march to Karbala for the Arbaeen ritual in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017.
photo: AP
Over three million Shia pilgrims have arrived in Iraq to attend the 40-day mourning period for the killing of Imam Hussein.
The 40-day mourning period for the killing of Imam Hussein or Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the killing of Imam Hussein – a founding figure in Shia Islam and grandson of the Prophet Mohammed – by the forces of the caliph Yazid in 680 CE.
More than 3 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in Iraq this year to participate in mourning anniversary for the killing of Imam Hussein, mostly through the Iraqi government's border crossings. While 20 thousand pilgrims have crossed into Iraqi through Kurdistan region border crossings, the Commission of Border Crossing Points said.
Zurbatiyah border crossing in Wasit Governorates followed by Shalamcheh border crossing were busies points of entry into Iraq, over 70 percent of pilgrims entered Iraq through Zurbatiyah alone, the commission added.
Iraqi is home to holiest Shiite cites in the world. Karbala where Imam Hussein was killed is the place where Shias march for the Arbaeen ritual. During Arbaeen Shia across the world head to Iraq to mourn Imam Hussein’s death.
This year, many Shias entered Iraq through the Kurdistan region. They were welcomed by Sunni groups and were provided accommodation and assistance.