HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Despite cold weather and threats of terrorism, Husseini mourners from across the country were flocking to the holy city of Karbala to mark the approaching occasion of Arbaeen Al-Husseini, or the fortieth day after the martyrdom of grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S) Chief of Martyrs Al-Imam Al-Hussein (A) along with his 72 faithful companions in the scorching desert of this holy city 1400 years ago.

According to reports, Iraqi police and different local militias that work under different religious leaders have made strict security arrangements particularly in the Holy Karbala.

Visitation to the Master of Youths of Paradise Al-Imam Al-Hussein (A) on Arbaeen is highly recommended by Holy Prophet (S) and A’emmah (A) from his holy progeny (S) highlighting great merits of the pilgrims.

It is reported in Kamel-oz Zeyarat that when a person intends to visit Al-Imam Al-Hussein (A), holy Prophet (S) sends an angel to the pilgrim conveying to him his (s) Salaam.

The mourning devotees including men, women and children, some bare-footed, are reaching here on foot from across Iraq in forms of caravans and groups, some alone, carrying green, red and black Husseini flags, performing chest beating and chanting dirges and elegies to signify Martyr of At-Taff.

While tens of thousands of faithful have already arrived here, hundreds of thousands are in their way to Holy Karbala that is home to the holy mausoleums of Al-Imam Al-Hussein bin Ali (A) and his brother Al-Abbas bin Ali (A).

The devotees before heading to Holy Karbala are reaching at the holy Shrine of Master of Believers Al-Imam Ali (A) in the Holy Najaf.

It has been a practice that different Husseini organizations and bodies set up facilitating tents, refreshment stands, sleeping spots and makeshift mosques in the shade of palm trees on routes to Holy Karbala to ease the mourning pilgrims who are zealous to reach the holy Husseini and Abbasi mausoleums where heavy tatbeer (hitting swords on head to shed blood) will be witnessed like past.