1400 Hyderaad pilgrims reach Karbala to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain

Hyderabad: About 1,400 pilgrims from Hyderabad and a total of 25,000 from across India have congregated at Karbala, Iraq, for Arbaeen, that marks the end of the 40-day period of mourning for the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain. The gathering, considered the world’s largest peaceful gathering of humanity, will take place on September 18.

More than six crore people from 70 different nationalities and different faiths had already reached Karbala including two crore Iranians, to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain, the Grandson of Prophet Mohammed.

This comes as lakhs of visitors have been walking to Karbala from all over Iraq, and large numbers from across the Iranian border, for days. The crowds are so huge, but the governor of Karbala said it was the largest attendance ever, according to a statement released here.

Mir Firasath Ali Baqri, general secretary, Hyderi Education and Social welfare Society, said, “The Arbaeen Walk is the largest annual peaceful gathering that witnesses the participation of millions of people from different countries. The number of visitors is so high the country's top brass had to revise its security plan and open new access routes to the holy city of Karbala, a medium-sized city about 80 kms south of the capital Baghdad.”

Experts say it is an endeavour to keep alive the movement of Karbala, which is a movement against terrorism, fascism, and despotism.