HOLY KADIMIYAH, Iraq: More than five million mourners from inside
and outside Iraq have reached in Holy Kadimiyah to commemorate the
martyrdom anniversary of Al-Imam Mousa b. Jafar Al-Kadim (AS), the
seventh infallible descendant of Prophet Muhammad (SW), amid tight
security despite terrorism and sandstorm, according to reports on
Monday Rajab 24 July 28..
Imam Al-Kadim (AS) was poisoned in Baghdad in the late eighth
century by the then-ruling caliph, Harun al-Rashid, on Rajab 25 which
falls this year on Tuesday July 29.
An extra 5,000 police and soldiers have been deployed in Kadimiyah,
the northwestern district of Baghdad where the holy shrine of the Imam
(AS) is located, setting up multiple checkpoints.
"There is more than a full brigade deployed in the vicinity, entrances
and exits of the city, and in the surrounding areas of Kadimiyah city,
for fear of attacks," a defence ministry source told AFP.
As pilgrims sought protection from Baghdad's scorching heat on
shady sidewalks, chatting, eating and sipping tea, one long-time store
owner in the neighbourhood hailed the improvements but also recalled
the potential dangers.
On August 31, 2005, at least 965 people were martyred in a stampede at
a Baghdad bridge, triggered by rumours that a suicide bomber was in
their midst and following a mortar attack on the shrine that left
seven people martyred.
Soldiers have cordoned off the northern Baghdad district, not allowing
traffic in, while pedestrians -- especially women -- were being
subjected to strict security searches, an AFP report witnessed.
At least 25 pilgrims were martyred in three suicide bombings on
Monday as they headed to the holy shrine.
Initial police reports indicated the bombings were carried out by
women.
About 70 other people were injured in the early morning attacks in
the Karrada district of cental Baghdad, they said, as the pilgrims
made their way towards Kadimiyah in the north of the Iraqi capital.
On Sunday, gunmen shot dead seven pilgrims in Madin, a town south of
Baghdad, despite tight security for Tuesday's ceremony honouring
revered imam Mousa Kadim (AS).
