HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Millions of devotees from Iraq, Iran, India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Tanzania and many other parts of the world paid visit to the holy mausoleum of Chief of Martyrs Al-Imam Abi Abdellah Al-Hussein (peace of Allah be on him) in the holy city of Karbala amid tight security measures marking the blessed Day of Arafah, the Zul-hijja 9, which fell this year on December 8 Monday.

The pilgrims from across the country thronged the holy shrine on the night and day of Arafah, an occasion when a visit to the grandson of holy Prophet (peace of Allah be on him and his pure progeny), Chief of Youth of Paradise Al-Imam Al-Hussein bin Ali bin Abi Taleb (peace of Allah be on them) is highly recommended by traditions.

They recited zyarah in front of the holy grave of the Imam (peace of Allah be on him) and performed other rituals.

A hadith, or a saying, of Prophet Muhammad (peace of Allah be on him and his pure progeny) goes that Allah certainly looks at the visitors of Hussein in Karbala before He looks at His (Allah’s) visitors in Mt. Arafat.

Visitors also converged on the holy shrine of his brother Abu`l Fazl Al-Abbas bin Ali bin Abi Taleb (peace of Allah be on them) in this holy city.

Special stalls for free hot and cold drinks were set up and food was prepared in giant pots to facilitate the ‘Visitors of Hussein”.