HYDERABAD/LUCKNOW: Undaunted by the martyrdoms of three Indians in Iraq, people in the country are continuing to queue up for pilgrimage (ziyarat) to the holiest shrines in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.

Though the slaying of the three from Andhra Pradesh in Iraq on Sep 1 raised concerns about the security of Indian pilgrims, the incident does not appear to have hit the enthusiasm of the community to undertake the Iraq journey.

The belief that one should at least once in a life time visit the tombs of Prophet Mohammed (SW)'s cousin and son-in-law Hazrat Ali (AS) at Najaf and grandson Imam Hussain (AS) at Karbala, both in Iraq, is what keeping the pilgrims unmindful of the risks involved.

That is the reason why Indians continued the pilgrimage or 'Ziyarat' even during the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq and during the repressive regime of ousted Saddam. Up to 50,000 Indians go on pilgrimage to the Iraq-Iran-Syria circuit every year.

A large chunk of them are from Lucknow, a member of the All India Shia Personal Law Board Maulana Mohammad Yasoob Athar said.

However, the first-ever terror attack targeted at Indian pilgrims this month raised concerns in some quarters. Tour operators feared that the government might intervene to stop the pilgrimages.

Religious and political leaders, however, said New Delhi should do nothing to stop devotees from undertaking the tour as it is purely a religious affair. They instead want the government to take steps for the security of Indian pilgrims.

Two tour operators in Hyderabad, whose packages covers pilgrimage to all holy shrines in Syria, Iraq and Iran, are continuing their plans for three seasons of 'Ziyarat' scheduled to begin after Haj early next year.

During Saddam's rule each pilgrim had to shell $300 for a visa but now the authorities are collecting a nominal $4 as visa fee. With the new government in Baghdad slashing taxes on hotels, the package has become cheaper.

While a package tour in the past cost Rs.75,000-80,000, it is now Rs.50,000-55,000.

President Andhra Pradesh Shia Youth Conference Syed Hamid Hussain Jafri said: "The package charges vary depending on the embarking point and type of accommodation one is opting."

A section of leaders feel that the wish for martyrdom had only increased after the incident.

"One who embarks on the pilgrimage wishes that he breaths his last in the holy city of Karbala and gets buried there. One can't ask for more," said Jafri.

The families of the three men killed consider fortunate that their members could get a burial in Karbala. Even the killings could not stop their women and other members of the group from continuing the pilgrimage. The group, which is now visiting the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, is expected to return after 10 days.