Millions of black-clad Shiite Muslims streamed through the holy shrine of Imam Hussein bin Ali bin Abi Taleb (AS) in the Iraqi city of Karbala Monday in spite of terrorist threats by the so-called ‘Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL) takfiri group.

Nusayyef al-Khattabi, who heads the Karbala provincial council, said he expected the total number of visitors over several days to range “between 17 and 20 million,” among them are an estimated three million foreigners, adding that “Karbala is on high alert to accommodate the large numbers of visitors to provide them with services.”

In the meantime, Iraqi security forces have stepped up their security checks inside Karbala to protect the pilgrims from possible attacks.

Operations commander of the Middle Euphrates Major General Qais Khalaf Rahima told media outlets that “security forces entered into a state of maximum alert,” adding: “Security is tightened at the three entrances to Karbala.”

The authorities in Karbala, which lies about 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Baghdad, said at least 24,000 soldiers and police were dispatched to the area.

Arbaeen, Arabic for “40”, is an observance that peaks on the 40th day after the anniversary of Imam Hussein’s 680 AD martyrdom, but the pilgrimage takes place over several days running up to it.

Source: AFP