Iraqi pilgrims flock to Kerbala
- 12 years ago
Iraqi Shi'ite Muslims gather in the holy city of Kerbala on Thursday to mark the anniversary of the birth of one of their most important imams.
The 12th Imam Mohamed al-Mahdi is revered by Shi'ites and is believed to have disappeared centuries ago but never to have died.
Thousands of pilgrims flocked to the city for the occasion, despite a series of bombs earlier in the week which killed more than 40 people.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PILGRIM FROM BASRA:
"We came from Basra province. We walked from Najad and then to Khan al Nus in Kerbala. Terrorism and bombs can't prevent us from visiting because when we hear about attacks we come in droves."
At least 38,000 Iraqi police and soldiers have been deployed in the city to provide extra security for pilgrims.
Vehicle traffic has been banned since Wednesday to prevent car bombs.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.
The 12th Imam Mohamed al-Mahdi is revered by Shi'ites and is believed to have disappeared centuries ago but never to have died.
Thousands of pilgrims flocked to the city for the occasion, despite a series of bombs earlier in the week which killed more than 40 people.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PILGRIM FROM BASRA:
"We came from Basra province. We walked from Najad and then to Khan al Nus in Kerbala. Terrorism and bombs can't prevent us from visiting because when we hear about attacks we come in droves."
At least 38,000 Iraqi police and soldiers have been deployed in the city to provide extra security for pilgrims.
Vehicle traffic has been banned since Wednesday to prevent car bombs.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.