HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Arafah, 9th day of Dhol-Hijjah – the 12th lunar month -, is an occasion when a visit to the grandson of holy Prophet (peace of Allah be on him and his pure progeny), Sayyedaa Shababi Ahl-il Jannah Al-Imam Abi Abdellah Al-Hussein (peace of Allah be on him) is highly recommended by traditions.

A hadith, or a saying, of Prophet Muhammad (peace of Allah be on him and his pure progeny) goes that Allah certainly looks at the visitors of Hussein in Karbala before He looks at His (Allah’s) visitors in Mt. Arafah.

Marking this blessed Day of Arafah, several million devotees from Iraq, Iran, India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Tanzania and many other parts of the world pay visit to the holy mausoleum of Chief of Martyrs Al-Imam Al-Hussein (peace of Allah be on him) in the holy city of Karbala amid tight security measures.

Husseini pilgrims from across the country gather at the holy shrine on the night and day of Arafah.

They recite zyarah in front of the holy grave of the Imam (peace of Allah be on him) and perform other rituals.

The pilgrims also converge on the holy shrine of his brother Abu`l Fazl Al-Abbas bin Ali bin Abi Taleb (peace of Allah be on them) in this holy city.

In order to facilitate the ‘Visitors of Hussein”, special stalls for free hot and cold drinks have been set up and food is prepared in giant pots at open streets.