HOLY KARBALA, Iraq: While millions of devotees are heading towards the holy city of Karbala to celebrate at the holy shrine f Al-Imam Al-Hussein (peace be upon him) the mid Shaban night that marks the birthday of Savior of Humanity, Last descendant of holy Prophet (peace be upon him & his pure progeny) Al-Imam Al-Mehdi (peace be upon him), Iraqi security forces imposed extreme security measures along the road from Baghdad to this holy city.

Vehicles have been banned from the city.

Tight security measures have also been taken in the southern cities neighbouring Karbala, for fear that terrorists might accompany visitors from Basra, Nasiriya or Umara, and then sneak into Karbala and carry out operations.

Iraqi security forces would have around 25,000 soldiers in Karbala on the day, besides the American Air Force.

Millions, some in caravans, some individually, on foot under scorching sun continue reaching in Holy Karbala renewing their pledge and devotion for Itrah At-Tahira – holy progeny of holy Prophet).

Fifteenth night of Shaban is a precious and lofty-status night. There is a narration from holy Prophet (peace be upon him & his pure progeny)’s fifth infallible descendant Hazrat Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him) about the status of this night, that: “This is the best night after the Night of Qadr. In this night, Allah grants the servants His favor and forgives them with His blessing.”

Imam (peace be upon him) further advised, “Spare no effort in nearing Allah therein. This is a night wherein Allah has made obligatory for Him He would not send one, who asks him, empty handed… and this is the night which Allah has made for Us - the Prophet's progeny (Ahlul Bayt) - as He made the Night of Qadr for our Prophet (peace be upon him & his pure progeny) ...”

At the dawn of the same night, the last infallible descendant of holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him & his pure progeny), Savior of Humanity, Last Proof of Allah on earth Al-Imam Muhammad bin Hasan Al-Mehdi Al-Montazar (May Allah hasten his reappearance) made the world refulgent with his birth in the year 255 AH in the holy city of Samarra, Iraq.

Meanwhile, Iraqi police sources told that three Iraqis have been martyred and three others injured on Tuesday at the hands of terrorists while on their way to Karbala from Baghdad to perform Zyarah Ash-Shabaniyah.