Iraq: Worshippers make their way to Karbala in Arbaeen pilgrimage

W/S Worshippers walking with Iraqi flag; worshippers walking, Karbala
W/S Worshippers walking
M/S Worshippers walking
W/S Worshippers walking
W/S Worshippers walking
M/S Worshippers walking
W/S Worshippers
M/S Worshippers
M/S Worshippers passing through security check
M/S Worshippers passing through security check
M/S Worshipper's bag being checked
M/S Police car with inscription reading in Arabic: "Karbala police"
W/S Law enforcement officer; worshippers
M/S Law enforcement officer; worshippers
M/S Worshippers; law enforcement officers
M/S Worshippers; law enforcement officers
W/S Worshippers with Iraqi flags outside Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain
W/S Worshippers outside Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain
W/S Worshippers; flags inside Shrine
M/S Worshippers
W/S Worshippers; flags
SCRIPT
Millions of pilgrims converged in the Iraqi city of Karbala on Saturday, as part of the annual observance of Arbaeen.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage to Karbala is the largest annual religious gathering in the world. The pilgrimage took place amid tight security, with teams of law enforcement officers deployed in the city.
Arbaeen is observed 40 days after Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson and the third Shiite Imam, Hussain ibn Ali, in the Battle of Karbala in the seventh century.