Millions of Muslims from around the world have gone on the Arba’een pilgrimage toward Iraq’s Karbala, where Imam Hossein was martyred, to take part in the mourning ceremony of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)’s grandson.

People take part in mourning processions on Wednesday on the occasion of Arba’een, which marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam, and his 72 companions in the Battle of Karbala in southern Iraq in 680 AD.

According to early estimates, more than 30 million people, including Iranians, have taken part in the procession in Iraq. 

The on-foot journey starts days before the Arba'een as devotees take various routes toward the holy shrines in Karbala. One of the major routes is an 80-km-long one between the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala. 

The pilgrims pay tribute and renew their allegiance to Imam Hussein (AS), the all-time icon of fighting injustice, oppression and despotism, during the annual event.

Pilgrims are welcomed and served by Moukebs (also Mowkibs), makeshift tents erected along the paths, that offer everything that pilgrims may need during the journey for free.

The Moukebs offer free food, drinks, accommodation, medicine, and other services to the pilgrims.