Pictures coming out of Iraq show black-clad pilgrims taking part in a march toward Karbala, located about 100 kilometers south of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, to show their commitment to the Shia Imam with many walking barefoot.
Iraqi forces have tightened security around Imam Hussein’s shrine to protect pilgrims against possible terrorist attacks ahead of the mourning rituals on Thursday.
Millions of Iranians across the country are also preparing to mark the occasion by holding mourning rituals on Wednesday. Millions of Iranians have also traveled to Iraq to take part in Arba'een march and attend mourning ceremonies in Karbala,PRESS TV reports.
Imam Hussein and 72 of his loyal companions, including family members, were martyred on Ashura, the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram, in the battle of Karbala against the second Umayyad caliph, Yazid I, in 680 A.D. Imam Hussein was killed after he refused to pledge allegiance to the tyrant ruler.