HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: An estimated three million mourners gathered at the holy shrine of Al-Imam Ali (AS) in the central Iraq holy city of Najaf marking his martyrdom anniversary on Ramadan 21 while thousands of policemen and soldiers stood guard for the commemoration across the province.

Governor of Najaf Adnan Az-Zorfi said the security plan marking the occasion became successful amid tight security.

Al-Imam Ali (AS) was stabbed to death in 661 AD in the Mosque of Kufa near Najaf and every parcel of the universe heard these words of Ali (AS): “Foztu Wa Rabbil Kaabah” (By God Ali Has Succeeded).

There were three rings of security personnel encircling the city, with the ring around the shrine itself manned by police.

Hundreds of closed-circuit cameras were also being placed across the shrine city.

The mourners doing aza (holding majalis, performing chest-, head-beating, gushing out their blood with swords and sharp knives to signify their grief) renewed their pledge to Amir-ol Mo’minin (Commander of the Faithful) Al-Imam Ali (AS).

Husseini Mawakeb set up tents and stalls to ease Haidary mourners with foods, meals, hot and cold drinks.