HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Thousands of devotees of Ahlol Bayt (A) are streaming into the holy city of Karbala on daily basis 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.

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 Salaam from the holy Prophet (S).

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).

One can see great devotion and love for Ahlol Bayt (A) on their faces with they keep full knowledge of right of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (A) on them.

Speculation says three to five million will gather here to commemorate the occasion which falls this year on 31 March.

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.

Different Husseini organizations and bodies have 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 this year heavy tatbeer (hitting swords on head to shed blood) will be witnessed like past.

Meanwhile, Holy Najaf Police has defused three powerful bombs that were planted in the thoroughfare which links Deewaniyah and Holy Najaf to the City of Hussein (A) – Holy Karbala – and is being used by the Husseini mourners to revive Arbaeen occasion.

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.

Holy Karbala police commander, Brigadier Abbas Hasani, said thousands of Iraqi police and national guards would provide security during the event, adding severe measures would be held to prevent terrorist operations.

Representatives of Ayatullah Sayyed Ali As-Sistani and religious officials in Holy Karbala have called on the youth to cooperate with Iraqi police to preserve security during the mourning ceremonies.