(24 Aug 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Karbala, Iraq – 24 August 2024
1. Various of crowds of pilgrims heading to the holly shrine of Imam in Karbala,
2. Various of pilgrims inside Imam Hussein shrine.
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Zahra Sameer, pilgrim:
“We must not forget the (great) role of the security forces in mobilizing all branches of the army, police and the Hashed(PMF) to secure this million-person pilgrimage.”
4. Various of security forces searching pilgrims at a check point in Karbala.
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hussein Hashim, pilgrim:
“The number of Iranian visitors is huge and we believe, God willing, that the Iraqi volunteers in the Husseini processions have completed their duties and there is no negligence in providing services and welcoming visitors.”
6. Various of free meals being prepared and distributed to pilgrims.
STORYLINE:
Millions of Shiite Muslims packed the streets of the Iraqi city of Karbala Saturday on their annual pilgrim to mark the death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein, who became a symbol of resistance during the tumultuous first century of Islam’s history.
Tahseen Al-Khafaji, head of the Iraqi security media cell, said that more than 3 million pilgrims had entered the country as of Friday, amid tight security measures.
The tight security arrangements were not lost on pilgrim Zahra Sameer who told The Associated Press, “We must not forget the (great) role of the security forces in mobilizing all branches of the army, police and the Hashed(PMF) to secure this million-person pilgrimage.”
This year Arbaeen — Arabic for the number 40 and traditionally observes the end of a mourning period — was shrouded with sadness over the war in Gaza, now in its 11th month, and worries it may expand into a regional conflict with tensions spiking between Israel and Iran after a blast killed the leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran last month.
Hussein’s death exacerbated the schism between Islam’s two main sects, Sunni and Shiite.
However, for many Muslims, that division has now taken a back seat to shared anger and grief over the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza where more than 40,000 have so far been killed.
The Israel-Hamas war broke out following the group’s surprise attack on southern Israel, killing nearly 1200 people and taking 250 others hostage.
Pilgrims usually flock from all around the world to honour Arbaeen on the 20th day of Safar, the second month of the Islamic lunar calendar every year, which culminates at the spot where Hussein and his half-brother Imam Abbas were killed during the Battle of Karbala.
Many view it as a reminder of the unity of the Shiite community through centuries of turmoil.
On Saturday, the rhythmic sound of pilgrims pounding their chests and heads as they circled the Imam Hussein Shrine filled the air.
One of the busiest points is the Iraq-Iran border crossing of Mandali in Iraq’s northern province of Diyala.
Volunteers could be seen lining the nearly 113-kilometer (70-mile) road from Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, to Karbala, offering food to weary pilgrims.
Despite the celebration, this year’s Arbaeen was also marred by a bus accident in central Iran on Wednesday that left 28 passengers dead and 23 others injured, 14 critically.
AP Video shot by Salman Ameen
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