HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: "Imam Ali, we come to swear allegiance to you," chanting it, over one million Iraqis have gathered in the holy city of Najaf for Zeyarah of Al-Imam Ali (peace be upon him) holy shrine on Wednesday and Thursday marking Idd Al-Ghadir, an auspicious occasion to reiterate allegiance to the Master of Believers Ali bin Abi Taleb (peace be upon him).

Idd Al-Ghadir, or the Feast of Al-Ghadir, named after the place where holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure progeny) declared his cousin and son-in-law Al-Imam Ali (peace be upon him) his successor on the orders of Allah saying “Munn Kontu Maulahu fa haaza Ali-yun Maulahu” (Of whomsoever I am the Master, this Ali is his Master) by raising his hand in front of more than 120,000 hajj pilgrims, is celebrated on 18 Zol-hijja across the world with deep enthusiasm.

Special A’maal of the day are performed at the holy shrines, mosques, hossainiyaat and houses.

More than a million devotees began converging in Najaf on Tuesday, many of them traveling to the holy city on foot.

Thousands of women, dressed from head to toe in the abaya handed out sweets and wailed for joy on the streets.

The magnificent Imam Ali (peace be upon him) mausoleum has been decorated with lights, balloons and multicolored buntings marking the auspicious occasion, while special foods and desserts were being prepared in very giant pots to facilitate the guests of Ali Al-Mortaza (peace be upon him).

Officials have tightened security.