Millions of Muslim pilgrims rally in Iraq

KARBALA:

More than 21 million Muslim pilgrims took part in the 'Arbaeen' pilgrimage in Iraq this year, which reached its peak on Sunday with attendees displaying their support for Gaza.

'Arbaeen', which means forty in Arabic, marks the 40th day of mourning for the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Hussein and his brother Abbas are buried in two enormous mausoleums facing each other in Karbala.

Pilgrims freely express their suffering, weeping and wailing in memory of Hazrat Imam Hussein, who was martyred in 680 A.D. during a battle in Karbala.

This year, the events have included prominent displays of Palestinian flags by pilgrims amid the war in Gaza.

"The total number of 'Arbaeen' pilgrims... reached 21,480,525", the institution that manages the Abbas mausoleum and is responsible for the count, said. Among them were about 3.5 million Iranian pilgrims, according to official figures reported in Tehran.

Mohammed al-Tamimi, a 32-year-old pilgrim, said that the Palestinian flags waving among the pilgrims are "in support of our brothers in Palestine and in response to the Zionists, saying that Muslims stand as one against the Zionist actions and against the crimes taking place in Gaza."

The 'Arbaeen', which always take place amid tight security, drew around 22 million pilgrims last year, according to official figures. Iran provided the most foreign visitors, with four million.