Mastodon
RNS logo

More than 13 million gather in Karbala for Arbaeen

BAGHDAD (AP) — The Shiite holiday marks the end of the mourning period for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson and a central figure in Shiite Islam.
More than 13 million gather in Karbala for Arbaeen
Shiite Muslim worshippers gather Nov. 9, 2017, in front of the holy shrine of Imam Hussein, in the background, during the Muslim festival of Arbaeen in Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad. The holiday marks the end of the 40-day mourning period after the anniversary of the seventh-century martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Jerome Socolovsky

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s top Shiite cleric says more than 13 million have gathered in the holy city of Karbala to mark Arbaeen, the annual commemoration marking the end of the mourning period for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson and a central figure in Shiite Islam.

RELATED: Millions of Shiites gather in Karbala to mark Arbaeen

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani praised Iraqi security forces Friday (Nov. 10) for securing the routes in and out of Karbala for visitors traveling from across Iraq and beyond.


Sheikh Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalai, Sistani’s representative, delivered the cleric’s message after Friday prayers.

Imam Hussein was killed in 680 A.D. in a climactic battle in Karbala that cemented the rift between Sunnis and Shiites.

Shiite communities worldwide observe the Arbaeen holiday, with large gatherings in Iran and southern Lebanon.

Explore More in:
No paywalls here. Thanks to you.
As an independent nonprofit, RNS believes everyone should have access to coverage of religion that is fair, thoughtful and inclusive. That's why you will never hit a paywall on our site; you can read all the stories and columns you want, free of charge (and we hope you read a lot of them!)

But, of course, producing this journalism carries a high cost, to support the reporters, editors, columnists, and the behind-the-scenes staff that keep this site up and running. That's why we ask that if you can, you consider becoming one of our donors. Any amount helps, and because we're a nonprofit, all of it goes to support our mission: To produce thoughtful, factual coverage of religion that helps you better understand the world. Thank you for reading and supporting RNS.
Deborah Caldwell, CEO and Publisher
Donate today