IRAQ: Thousands of Iraqi Shi'ite pilgrims descend on the holy city of Kerbala to celebrate the birth of Imam al-Mehdi
Record ID:
1538818
IRAQ: Thousands of Iraqi Shi'ite pilgrims descend on the holy city of Kerbala to celebrate the birth of Imam al-Mehdi
- Title: IRAQ: Thousands of Iraqi Shi'ite pilgrims descend on the holy city of Kerbala to celebrate the birth of Imam al-Mehdi
- Date: 28th August 2007
- Summary: PILGRIMS ARRIVING IN KERBALA/ HOLY SHRINE OF IMAM AL-HUSSEIN IN THE SCENE SHI'ITE PILGRIMS INSIDE HOLY SHRINE OF KERBALA MORE OF PILGRIMS INSIDE HOLY SHRINE OF KERBALA HOLY SHRINE OF IMAM HUSSEIN
- Embargoed: 12th September 2007 12:51
- Keywords:
- Location: Iraq
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA9VQQ0SKYDQM5695FX2PI7R265
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Amidst stringent security measures, thousands of Iraqi Shi'ite pilgrims descended on the holy city of Kerbala on Monday (August 27) to celebrate the birth of Imam al-Mehdi, a revered religious figure among Shi'ite Muslims.
Men and women set off on foot in brutal August heat, heading from Shi'ite districts across the capital toward Kerbala, 110 km (70 miles) to the south of Baghdad. Thousands more were walking from towns and cities in Iraq's mainly Shi'ite south.
Many walked for days to attend the ceremony, known as the Shaabaniya, which will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday (August 28 and 29), marking the 9th century birth of Muhammad al-Mehdi, the last of 12 imams Shi'ites revered as saints. Shi'ites believe he never died and will return to save mankind.
Fearing attacks or suicide bombings against the Shi'ite pilgrims, Iraqi security forces deployed in the holy city of Kerbala, and pilgrims arriving from other Iraqi cities are being subjected to body searches at a series of checkpoints.
"I have come from the Basra province to visit the holy city of Kerbala. I defy terrorism and the evil perpetrators of terrorism. We are here to visit Abu Abdullah (the shrine of Imam Hussein) and to attend the Shaabaniya (ceremony celebrating the birth of Imam al-Mehdi). We are not frightened by any kind of terrorism," said pilgrim Majeed Hatam.
Shi'ite pilgrimages have been a target of Sunni Arab bombers and have also served as rallying events for the country's Shi'ite majority, now running the government after decades of repression under Sunni Arab ruler Saddam Hussein.
In the most recent such incident, police said one female pilgrim was killed and six, including three children and three women, were wounded in a drive-by shooting as they passed through the mainly Sunni Doura district of southern Baghdad on Saturday (August 25).
Cars were banned from Kerbala, and 500 policewomen were stationed at checkpoints to search female pilgrims.
A Shi'ite pilgrimage to a shrine inside Baghdad earlier this month proved peaceful with no attacks reported. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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