Five million pilgrims visit Najaf shrine for Prophet Muhammad commemoration

NAJAF, Iraq — Officials at the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf said five million visitors took part in commemoration events marking the death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. In an official statement, the shrine said pilgrims arrived from across Iraq and abroad, with memorial programs stretching along roads leading into the city's main squares. Shrine authorities said visitors received accommodation, security and medical services without disruption throughout the period. Security forces implemented additional measures at city entrances and on main roads for the duration of the commemorations, according to the statement. Once the program concluded, the shrine said the process of moving visitors out of the city had begun. Shrine management added that preparations for the next commemoration cycle would start in the coming days.