(22 Aug 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Baghdad, Iraq – 22 August 2024
1. Various of Shiite Muslims marching toward the holy city of Karbala to mark the Arbaeen pilgrimage
2. Various of pilgrims being searched by security personnel
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Maj. Gen. Tahseen Al-Khafaji, head of the Iraqi Security Media Cell:
"The number of tourists and pilgrims who have entered Iraq has now reached more than 3 million during this particular period, and of course there are security checkpoints and security cordons being assigned to our security forces."
4. Various of army soldiers being deployed along the route to Karbala
5. Various of food being prepared and served to pilgrims
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hussien Ali, volunteer:
"We offer free meals to the visitor of Imam Hussein. Everything we offer is considered little in order to commemorate and serve our Master and Lord Imam Hussein, because he sacrificed his family and children for the sake of Islam."
7. Wide of pilgrims
STORYLINE:
Iraqi troops have stepped up security ahead of the Arbaeen pilgrimage.
Arbaeen, which translates to ‘forty’ in Arabic, commemorates the end of a 40-day mourning period after the death of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson.
Millions of pilgrims from Iraq and around the world are expected to gather in Karbala ahead of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, regarded as the largest annual public gathering in the world.
The pilgrims make their way to Karbala on foot, as a significant religious and traditional practice.
Security is tight as armed troops were deployed along the route to Karbala to protect pilgrims heading there.
Imam Hussein was killed at the hands of the Muslim Umayyad forces in the Battle of Karbala, during the tumultuous first century of Islam’s history.
He was seen by his followers as the rightful heir to the prophet’s legacy.
When he refused to pledge allegiance to the Umayyad caliphate, he was killed in the battle, cementing the schism between Sunni and Shiite Islam. Hussein’s half-brother Abbas was also killed in the battle.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage will reach its climax at sunset on Saturday and will continue throughout Sunday when pilgrims converge at the site where Imam Hussein and Abbas were killed along with about 70 followers during the 680 AD battle.
For Shiite Muslims, the remembrance of Imam Hussein is an emotional event that sees many believers grieve over his killing.
Volunteers in Baghdad and other cities along the route to Karbala erect food stands and tents to provide pilgrims with free food and drinks all day long during the pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage gained political symbolism because it was banned during the reign of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
After the 2003 U.S-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, the number of pilgrims visiting the shrines in Karbala and Najaf increased due to the rise of Shiite forces to power in Iraq and the increase of Iran’s influence in Iraq.
Insurgents have previously staged attacks on Shiites during the festival.
Karbala is about 113 kilometers (70 miles) north of Baghdad by road.
AP video shot by Ali Jabar
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