Millions of Muslims marching to Karbala for Arba’een

Millions of Muslims have been marching toward the shrine of the Third Shia Imam, Imam Hossein (PBUH), in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala, to mark the 40th day to follow the anniversary of his martyrdom back in the seventh century.

The faithful continued their procession on Tuesday with hearts brimming with his love.

The passion has made them resolute in the face of potential terrorism on their path to attend the ritual, which is set to be commemorated in the city on Sunday.

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On Monday, the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh targeted the pilgrims in Karbala and security forces in Fallujah, another central city, killing at least six people in each attack.

“We are walking all these long distances, we are not afraid of terrorists, we are not afraid of Daesh,” said 56-year-old pilgrim Sattar Hussein. “We are not afraid of anyone who defames Islam. And especially those who are targeting the Arba’een.”

Muslims worldwide hold mourning rituals during the month of Muharram on the lunar calendar in remembrance of the sufferings imposed on Imam Hossein (PBUH), his family and his companions, by the tyrant of the time, Yazid I, an Umayyad caliph, in early Islamic history.

The events peak on the 10th day, traditionally known as Ashura — 40 days prior to Arba’een — when the Imam and 72 of his companions were martyred at the hands of the despot’s forces, to whom they had refused to pledge allegiance.

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