Around 21 million Shia Muslim pilgrims from around the world gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala on Saturday to mark the walk of Arbaeen, a commemoration to end the 40-day mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his kith and kin in the battle of Karbala by tyrant Yazid forces.
The annual event sees men and women who travel to Karbala, where Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas are buried, for one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
During the pilgrimage, devotees wave black flags, banners bearing the image of Hussein and beat their chest in devotion.
Imam Hussain and his companions were betrayed by the very people who invited him to Kufa, Iraq, and then subsequently, the caravan was martyred and beheaded by the Yazid army.
On the routes of the pilgrimage, food, accommodation and other services are provided for free by volunteers.