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Millions throng Iraq shrine despite fears of an Islamic State attack

Some pilgrims came from as far afield as Basra, Iraq's main southern port city some 500 kilometres away by road.

By :  dr swati srivastava
Update: 2016-11-22 08:00 GMT
Thousands walk from Baghdad to the holy city of Karbala to mark the martyrdom of the Imam. Some walk for seven days while others for 10 days.
The moon rises over Shiite pilgrims as they march to Karbala for the Arbaeen ritual in Baghdad, Iraq.
Some pilgrims came from as far afield as Basra, Iraq's main southern port city some 500 kilometres away by road.
Pakistani Shiite Muslims pay respects to Zul Jinnah, a horse symbolizing the horse that Shiite spiritual leader Imam Hussein used to fight against his enemy in the historic battle of Karbala.
An Iraqi policeman stands guard as Shiite pilgrims march to Karbala for the Arbaeen ritual in Baghdad, Iraq.
The authorities in Karbala said at least 24,000 soldiers and police were securing the area.
Shiite faithful pilgrims gather at the holy shrine of Imam Abbas.
Shia Muslim pilgrims perform acts of worship on the last day of the Arbaeen religious festival in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala.
Arbaeen, which means “40” in Arabic, is an observance that peaks on the 40th day after the anniversary of Imam Hussein's 680 AD death, but the pilgrimage takes place over several days running up to it.
Shiite worshippers gather between the holy shrines of Imam Abbas, seen in the background, and Imam Hussein, for Arbaeen in Karbala.
Some pilgrims came from as far afield as Basra, Iraq's main southern port city some 500 kilometres away by road.

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