Arbaeen pilgrimage in Karbala draws over 4 million visitors as commemoration ends

KARBALA, Iraq — The Arbaeen pilgrimage marking the 40th day after the killing of Imam Hussein in Karbala is drawing to a close, with Iraqi authorities reporting a steady flow of visitors to the shrines of Imam Hussein and his brother al-Abbas. Security and service units have continued to implement their plans to ensure pilgrim safety and provide logistical support along the routes. Brigadier General Saad Maan, head of the Media Security Cell, said 4,007,257 visitors entered Iraq between the start of the Islamic New Year on 1 Muharram and Friday night. Shia Muslims gather in Karbala each year to mark the 40th day after the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. According to Islamic tradition, Imam Hussein, his family and supporters were killed in Karbala in 680 AD after a confrontation with the forces of the Umayyad caliph Yazid, an event that became a defining moment in the history of Shia Islam. The Arbaeen commemoration, held 40 days after Ashura, draws millions of pilgrims annually, many of whom travel on foot from across Iraq and neighboring countries. Officials said the large turnout required coordinated deployment of security forces, medical teams and volunteers to manage crowd movement and services along the pilgrimage routes. No further details on the wind-down of the commemoration were immediately available.