HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: An estimated six million worshippers gathered at the holy shrine of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (AS) and site of Imam al-Mahdi in the holy city of Karbala on 15th night of Sha'aban (night between Thursday and Friday, August 6-7) honoring the birthday of Al-Imam al-Mahdi al-Montadhar (AS).

"I'm very happy I'm here today, thanks to God," said Halima Naeem , 60, a pilgrim from Basra. "The security is present and effective. Iraqis are able, and sparing no effort."

Traffic began backing up for hours outside Karbala in all directions Thursday night. Inside the city, dense crowds circled the shrine of Imam Hussein (AS). It took as long as two hours to walk the 250 yards around the shrine.

Some revelers clapped to songs on the street under tent-like ribbons of colored lights.

"It's very secure. With the presence of Prophet Muhammad and his grandsons" — the imams — "Iraqis are up to the task," said Ahmed Kamal, 30, who walked for two days to Karbala from the city of Hilla.

Thursday’s A’maal culminated with the floating of hundreds of candles and letters to Imam Al-Mahdi – Imam of the Era (may Allah hasten his reappearance) - on a river in Holy Karbala at Friday pre-dawn (Sha’ban 15, August 7).