Millions of Shia Muslims gather in Iraq’s Karbala to mark Arbaeen

Shiite Muslim worshippers march toward the Imam Hussein Shrine ahead of Arbaeen in Karbala, Iraq, August 3, 2026. Photo: Hadi Mizban/AP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims are gathering in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala to mark Arbaeen under tight security measures. The tremendous procession follows the yearly 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. Iraqi officials anticipate that up to 22 million pilgrims will visit the city. More than 4.5 million foreign travelers from 172 different countries have entered Iraq, including a significant number of Iranian pilgrims. Thousands of security personnel have been deployed to protect the surrounding area and routes leading to the Imam Hussein Shrine. Millions of pilgrims dressed in black walk the ancient 76-kilometer (47-mile) journey from Najaf to Karbala. Arbaeen, one of the world’s greatest religious gatherings, has increased in popularity in the past few years. It occurs 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson Imam Hussein. The event marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, by the forces of the caliph Yazid in 680 AD. The holy city of Karbala in central Iraq represents the heart of Shiite Islam. It is where Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas are buried in two massive shrines that face one another. Pilgrims openly demonstrate their sadness by weeping and crying in memory of Imam Hussein.