UN agency: Tens of thousands of Iraqis displaced

BAGHDAD, Iraq: A United Nations-affiliated agency said violence has displaced more than 25,000 Iraqis since the Feb. 22 bombing of the holy Askariain shrine, and shelters and tent cities are springing up across central and southern Iraq to house homeless families.

Over 7 million mark Arbaeen in City of Imam Hussein (p)

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Holy Karbala officials said over seven million mourning pilgrims were gathered in the holy city of Karbala on Tuesday Safar 20 to commemorate Arbaeen Al-Husseini, which according to a saying of Imam (p) is one of five signs of a believer.

Camera report of mourning at Husseini shrine marking Arbaeen

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Tens of thousands of mourning groups from across Iraq participated in Arbaeen commemoration held at the holy shrines of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) and his brother Abu`l Fadzl Al-Abbas in the holy city of Karbala.

Karbala poetic fair resolves to uphold Husseini thought for Iraq unity

HOLY KARBALA, Iraq: As Arbaeen climaxes, third annual Husseini poetic fair was held in the holy city of Karbala attended by a large number of renowned poets, intellectuals and thinkers.

Terrorists’ attempt to bomb Baratha mosque thwarted

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Terrorists this week tried to conduct a bomb explosion in front of one of gates of historic mosque Al-Baratha Mosque which is situated at a distance of five kilometers from the holy shrine of Al-Imamayn Mousa Al-Kazem and Muhammad Taqi Al-Jawwad (peace be upon them) in Kazemiyah.

US CC chief: Iraq can expect more bombings like Samarra attack

DOHA, Qatar: The chief of the US Central Command Gen. John Abizaid said Iraq can expect more bombings like the one at the holy Samarra shrine.

Iraq leaders call for probe into govt laxity on shrine security report

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Iraqi politicians have called for an investigation into why the government did not respond to a report that security had been breached around the holy shrine of Al-Imamayn Ali Al-Hadi (p) and Al-Hasan Al-Askari (p) in the holy city of Samarra.

Ahl-ol Bayt (p) followers facing aggression after Samarra tragedy

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Since the heart-rending Samarra tragedy in which holy shrine of Al-Imam Ali Al-Hadi (p) and Al-Imam Hasan Al-Askari (p) was destructed, terrorists have martyred hundreds of mo’minin (believers), torched their houses and threatened others to leave their dwellings in different parts of the country including Baghdad, Fallujah, Latifiyah and Diyali.

Bani Assad clan commemorates burial of Imam Hussein (p)

HOLY KARBALA, Iraq: Bani Assad tribe commemorated the ceremony of burial of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) and his near and dear ones on 13th of Moharram by holding Husseini procession.

Sunni, Shia leaders tell Iraqis to realize conspiracy, show self restraint

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Iraqi Sunni and Shia leaders while strongly denouncing deadly aggression against the holy shrine of Al-Imam Ali Al-Hadi and Al-Imam Al-Askari (peace be upon them) in Samarra have termed it a heinous conspiracy to create sectarian conflict and tear apart unity of Iraqi Sunni and Shia brethren.

Worldwide majalis, matam denounce Samarra shrine destruction

HYDERABAD, India: Millions of Muslims, both Shia and Sunnis, condemned bombing of holy Askariyain shrine by holding majalis, matam and mourning processions in Iraq, India, Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, Britain, Indian-held Kashmir, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and other countries. Condolences were conveyed to 12th Imam (may Allah hasten his reappearance) marking the sorrowful tragedy.

Karbala blast martyrs over 2-dozen after raze of Salman Farsi tomb

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: A car bomb exploded just after Zohr (daytime) prayer-call Saturday in the holy city of Karbala leaving at least 24 people martyred and scores other injured.

Marje Al-A’ala Sistani urges swiftness in new govt formation

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Marje’ Al-A’ala Sayyed Ali Husseini As-Sistani has urged the need of speediness in formation of Iraq’s new government.

Observance of Muharram at Abo’ Al-Fadhl Al-Abbas (p) shrine

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Mourning processions and majalis al-azaiyah continued at the holy mausoleum of Abo’ Al-Fadhl Al-Abbas bin Ali bin Abi Talib (p), brother of Imam Hussain (p) and commander of his army, in the holy city of Karbala, to pay homage to the Karbala martyrs who saved Islam with their blood in 61 AH.

Construction of second storey for Hussaini shrine compound

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Higher Committee for Management of Hussaini mausoleum and other holy sites will build second storey in holy Hussaini shrine compound in the holy city of Karbala.

Ya Hussein (p) … Ashura observed with solemnity

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Ashura - the darkest day of universal history – which marks the gruesome tragedy of Karbala in which the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (p) Hussein bin Ali (p) along with his 72 devoting companions was slaughtered unjustly some 1,400 years ago, was observed across the globe on Thursday February 9 with main commemoration held in the holy city of Karbala – place of tragedy – where an estimated four million mourners massed. The holy Karbala was shrouded in black.

Holy cities shut for Ashura, mourners performing Husseini Sha’a’er

HOLY KARBALA/ HOLY NAJAF: Hundreds of thousands of Husseini mourners have flocked in the holy city of Karbala to commemorate Ashura, and thousands of groups of white shroud-wearing men and little children are in the holy city to perform tatbeer (slash-open head with swords to shed their blood in memory of Al-Imam Al-Hussein), with a massive security operation in force.

Marasem husseini in Karbala reaching on climax as Ashura nears

HOLY CITY OFKARBALA, Iraq: Sha’a’er – holding majalis and mawkeb (processions), beating head and chest, wearing black dress and shedding our blood with swords or blades – which we perform during these days of the mourning month of Moharram are just to show our love, devotion and consciousness of responsibility towards Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) who rendered supreme sacrifice in the path of faith and principle.

Husseini remembrance persists in Karbala despite bad weather

HOLY KARBALA, Iraq: Advices and sayings of holy Prophet (p) and his Ahl-ol Bayt (p) activate us to keep continue reviving commemoration of Karbala Tragedy and renewing our allegiance to Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p). Al-Imam Zein-ol Abidin (p) says: When a believer weeps for killing of Hussein (p) to this extent that tears roll down on his cheeks, Allah allots a room for him in Paradise.

Mawakeb Azaiyah turn out Karbala practicing Sha’a’ir Husseiniyah

HOLY KARBALA, Iraq: Spiritual Husseini mourning processions, every day in the morning, begin touching through the streets of the holy city of Karbala starting from headquarters of their organizing bodies that are spread across the holy city and regions surrounding the holy shrines of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) and his brother Al-Abbas (p).

Mourners descending in Karbala to mark Ashura

HOLY KARBALA, Iraq: Every part of holy Karbala is a personification of each and every event of Tragedy of Karbala i.e. these are tents of Imam (p) and his Al`ol Beit (p), this is place of meeting with Omar bin Sa’ad, it is the place where Ali Al-Akbar (p) fell down from his horse, here at this place were cut the arms of Abi`l Fazl Al-Abbas (p), and here Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) went down causing holy Prophet (p) and the whole universe to weep.

“Hussein was slaughtered as a lamb...” Muharram marking in Karbala

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Al-Imam Ali Ar-Redha (A) says: “O Ibn Shabib! If you weep for something, then weep for Hussein bin Ali (A), no doubt he was slaughtered as a lamb is slaughtered, and along him were murdered 18 men from Ahl-i-Bayt that no one is like them on earth, and the seven skies and earth wept on his killing.”

Red standard on Husseini tomb replaced

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: A ceremony to replace red standard (Alam) with a black standard on the golden tomb of the holy shrine of Al-Imam Abi Abdellah Al-Hussein (A) was held in the holy city of Karbala on the beginning of the mourning month of Moharram.

Najaf becoming Iraq future after deliberate politics to destroy it

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Investors are flooding into the holy city of Najaf - a relative oasis of peace in Iraq - hoping to profit from the millions of religious pilgrims who come to visit the holy shrine of Imam Ali Ibn Talib (peace be upon him).

Holy Najaf hosts confab for Islamic preachers as Muharram nears

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: With approaching of the month of Muharram, sixth meeting for Islamic preachers was held at Husseiniyah Al-Fatimiyah in the holy city of Najaf. Over one thousand preachers attended the meeting besides delegates of Najaf’s Al-Maraje Ad-Diniyah, Shia Waqf (endowment) board and civil administration in the holy city.

Karbala security meet focuses on plans to protect Ashura mourners

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Holy Karbala police headship held a security conference to debate security plans and tight measure aimed at protecting millions of Husseini mourners who will gather in this holy city to observe Ashura –Muharram 9-10 – marking the martyrdom anniversary of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) along with his 72 near and dear ones some 1,400 years ago in the burning desert of Karbala for safety of Islam and Shariah and protection of high human values.

Iraqis reiterate allegiance for Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (p)

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Marking Eid `ol Ghadeer on Zolhijja 18 Thursday, more than a million Iraqis were gathered at the holy shrine of Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (p) to reiterate their oath of allegiance for Prophet (p)’s son-in-law, cousin and the first infallible successor Ali Al-Mortaza (p).

US watchdog: Mlns wasted in Iraq rebuilding

WASHINGTON: A military watchdog said in a new report that millions of dollars of US money intended for the reconstruction of Iraq were wasted and mismanaged by the US-run government in Iraq between 2003 and 2004.

Project to refurbish holy Zarih of Al-Imam Ali (p) begins

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: The preliminary project to renovate the holy mausoleum (Zarih) of Amir`ol Mo’minin Al-Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (p) began in cooperation with specialist engineers group and skilled in art and architecture in the Islamic world.

Al-Hakim’s alliance wins Iraq election

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Iraq's United Iraqi Alliance led by Sayyed Abdulaziz Al-Hakim won the December 15 parliamentary election earning 128 seats in the 275-member Council of Representatives, according to final uncertified results announced Friday.

Husseini shrine magnetizes millions on Arafah Day

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Several million devotees visited the holy mausoleum of Chief of Martyrs Al-Imam Abi Abdellah Al-Hussein (peace of Allah be on him) marking the Day of Arafah, the Zul-hijja 9, amid tight security measures.

Al-Hakim urges Iraq to respect voters’ choice

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Sayyed Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, chief of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), who also heads the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) coalition said on Saturday Iraq’s new government should reflect the results of last month’s general election rather than an undemocratic consensus between political parties.

The Lord of the Marshes

I am an iraqi, and iraqi shias of the south have a special shia warrior hero, that unfortunatly other shias dont know about him, he is a true legend, a warrior sheik, a fighter at heart, stories about him are truly amazing, very very amazing.

Tens of thousands bury Karbala martyrs

HOLY NAJAF/HOLY KARBALA: Tens of thousands of mourners, while weeping and chanting ‘wa Husseinah’, attended funerals of Karbala martyrs who kissed martyrdom on Thursday when a suicide bomber attacked near the holy shrine of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p), grandson of holy Prophet Muhammad (p).

Iraqis protest bloodshed in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Thousands of Iraqis demonstrated in Baghdad on Friday after two days of bloodshed that claimed at least 200 lives.

Millions in Iraq mourn Al-Imam Al-Jawwad (A) amid tight security

AL-KAZEMIYAH, Iraq: To mark the martyrdom anniversary of Al-Imam Muhammad bin Ali bin Mousa Al-Jawwad (A.S.) on Dhol`qaadah 29, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis gathered at his holy mausoleum in Kazemiyah.

Attack near Karbala holy shrines martyrs over 50

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: More than 50 people, including pilgrims, were martyred and dozens wounded when a suicide bomber detonated near the two holy shrines in Karbala on Thursday.

Inauguration of cultural house in Holy Najaf

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Representative of Iraqi Ministry of Culture Jaber Al-Jaberi inaugurated a cultural house in the holy city of Najaf – one of the most significant historic cities.

Iraqis in city of Hazret-e-Masumeh (p) mourn Al-Imam Ar-Reza (p)

HOLY CITY OF QOM, Iran: According to a tradition, 23 Zol-qada marks the martyrdom anniversary of Samin A’immah Ahl-i-Beyt Al-Imam Ali bin Mousa Ar-Reza (p). In this connection, Mo’minin in Mokab Ahali Karbala, coming from Iraq, respectfully commemorated the occasion.

WH intelligence team: Israel was the reason behind Iraq war

WASHINGTON: A high-level White House intelligence team said Iraq under Saddam never posed a threat to the United States but it was considered as one by Israel that is why Washington launched the war.

Mass grave unearthed near Imam Hussein (A) shrine

HOLY KARBALA, Iraq: The remains of women and children, victims of Saddam's ousted regime, have been found in a mass grave dug up by workers who were laying down pipes in the holy city of Karbala, a local official said.

Gold-coating of Husseini minarets begins

HOLY KARBALA, Iraq: Gold plating of two holy minarets of holy shrine of grandson of holy Prophet Muhammad bin Abdullah (peace be upon him and his pure progeny), Al-Imam Abo Abdellah Al-Hussein (peace be upon him) is being done on the directives of supreme committee for organizing sacred mausoleums.

UN says Iraq vote credible, Marje calls for unity govt

BAGHDAD, Iraq: A United Nations official said the UN-led international election assistance team found the Dec. 15 contested elections for Iraq's new parliament as credible: 'The United Nations is of the view that these elections were transparent and credible. Turnout was high and the day was largely peaceful, all communities participated.'

Najaf prepares file of Saddam crimes against ulema, sons of the city

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: People of holy city of Najaf, home to the holy shrine of Imam Ali (p), have prepared a big file to present before special criminal court set up to trial dictator Saddam and his aides for their crimes against humanity which they committed in this holy city during his 35-year regime.

Leaders, Ayaat flay Balad Ruz husseiniyah bombing

BAQUBA, Iraq: A bomb blast on Friday outside a crowded husseiniyah in Balad Ruz, 75 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of Baghdad, left 13 worshippers martyred including a policeman, and wounded many others, police said.

Karbala aza march demands Baqee rebuilding, airports in holy cities

HOLY KARBALA/ BASRA, Iraq: A massive husseini mourning procession was taken out in the holy city of Karbala to mark the anniversary of martyrdom of sixth infallible imam from Ahl-el Beit (p), Al-Imam Jafer As-Sadiq (p) on Monday Shawal 25, November 27.

Allawi voted with shoes in Najaf over Haidari shrine irreverence

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: People of holy Najaf, while canting O Allah curse upon Baathists and expressing their hatred, hurled shoes, rocks and tomatoes at former premier Iyad Allawi, who was a Baathist, forcing him to cut short a visit on Sunday to the holy shrine during his election campaign trip to this holy city, police officers said.

Iraqis protest against Al-Jazeera for anti-Marja’iyah remarks

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Iraqis protested in the capital city of Baghdad, holy Najaf, holy Karbala and many other cities against defamatory comments about Marja’iyah aired on the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television.

EU dispatches monitors to Iraq polls

BRUSSELS, Belgium: An EU official said the European Parliament will send a small panel of observers to Iraq to try to help monitor general elections scheduled for 15 Dec.

UN asks Marje` Sistani for Iraqis full participation in vote

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: The United Nations Special Envoy to Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, held a meeting with Al-Marje’ Al-Aa`la Grand Ayatullah Sayyed Ali Al-Husseini As-Sistani on Thursday asking him to encourage Iraqis to vote in general election scheduled on 15 December.

UN voices grave concern over Saddam trial

NEW YORK: A United Nations rights official said attacks on lawyers and flaws in the Iraqi justice system mean the trial of ousted dictator Saddam on charges of crimes against humanity will never satisfy international standards.

Terrorists bomb Imam Sadeq (p) mourning gathering in Kirkuk

KIRKUK, Iraq: Nahrain Net reported that terrorists had planned massacre of people of Tozkhormato in Kirkuk who had gathered at the holy shrine of Sayyed Ahmed bin Al-Imam Musa bin Jafar (p) to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Al-Imam As-Sadeq (p) on Shawal 25.

Saddam punched by court clerks on Ahl-ol Bayt (p) derogation

BAGHDAD, Iraq: State-run Iraqi television reported last week that two court staff attacked despot ousted Saddam and punched him several times after he slander two holy family members of Ahl-ol Bayt (p) of holy Prophet (p).

Karbala protest: Razing Baqi` holy shrines contradicts human values

HOLY KARBALA, Iraq: Denouncing crime of demolishing holy shrines of A’immah Ahl`ol Bayt (peace be upon them) at the hands of Aal-i-Saud on 8 Shaval 1342 A.H., students of Hauzah Karbala organized a protest rally in the holy city of Karbala – home to the holy shrines of Al-Imam Al-Hussein and Al-Abbas (peace be upon them).

US seeks Iran help to put down Iraq unrest

NEW YORK, United States: The United States plans to seek Iran's help, first of its kind in decades, in controlling the unrest in Iraq as Washington exposed a plan of withdrawal from there, and separately three Indian Za’yrin (pilgrims) kissed martyrdom when a bus, packed with pilgrims to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, came under fire on Monday.  

Maraje, leaders condemn Khanqin husseiniyahs terrorism

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Maraje, Ayaat, leaders and organizations have condemned Friday’s bomb blasts at two husseiniyahs northeast of Baghdad in which more than 250 innocent worshippers were martyred and injured.

Scores martyred in Baghdad husseiniyahs blasts

BAGHDAD, Iraq: More than 55 people were martyred and dozens wounded when two suicide bombers blew themselves up outside two husseiniyahs northeast of Baghdad.

Iraqis observe Yom Hadam`ol Adriha Ash-Sharifah fee Al-Baqee`

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Like other global parts, Yom Hadam`ol Adriha Ash-Sharifah fee Al-Baqee` Al-Gharqad, or the Day of Demolition of Holy Shrines in Al-Baqee` Cemetery was commemorated in Iraq on 8 Shaval, 11 November Friday.  

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