10 million marks Arbaeen in Karbala; Largest gathering of the century

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: An estimated 10 million mourning pilgrims regardless of sect commemorated Arbaeen-e-Hussaini on Wednesday in the holy city of Karbala with thousands slashed their heads with swords shedding their blood to pay rich homage to the Chief of the Martyrs Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).

It was the largest religious gathering of this century.

Led by a number of Grand Ayaat and representatives of Al-Hawzah Al-Ilmiyah An-Najaf Al-Ashraf (Islamic Seminary of Holy City of Najaf), the mourning pilgrims came forth from the holy shrines of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his brother Hazrat Abul Fazlil Abbas (AS) pounding their chests and heads.

They were chanting anti-US slogans to express their hatred for the United States: ‘Death to America, Death to Israel,’ ‘No America, No Israel and No Chalabi, Yes Yes to Marjeiyah, Yes Yes to Hawzah’, ‘We want Islamic government’ and ‘No Shiites No Sunnis, Islamic Unity Islamic Unity’. Carrying banners and placards that read: ‘No to American occupation,’ and ‘No to Chalabi’ they demanded US to quit the holy land of Iraq forthwith.

Throughout the night of Arbaeen, Azadari of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), grandson of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) continued at the Shrines of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS) offering thanks in the court of Allah and Imams (AS) that they achieved the honour of visiting the Shrines.

Many crawled through the streets of Karbala in a show of humbleness as they neared the Shrines of Hazrat Imam Hussain bin Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib (AS) and Hazrat Abbas bin Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib (AS).

Sabeel-e-Hussaini were setup.

US forces stayed clear of the city but American helicopters were patrolling over the holy city.

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