Hundreds of devout Shias from city reach Karbala

Darulshifa: Hundreds of Shia devout from city and about 15,000 from across India have converged in Karbala, Iraq, for taking part in one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

This will mark the end of 40-day mourning of the martyrdom of Hazrath Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Briefing the media persons in Old City, Hyderi Education and Social welfare Society General Secretary and BJP leader, Mir Firasath Ali Baqri, along with Moulana Syed Shana Hyder Zaidi and Mir Hadi Ali, said that this over 1,200 Hyderabadis have left for Arbaeen, the ceremony which marks the end of the 40-day mourning.

"A total of 40 million pilgrims reached in Karbala for ziyarath and to pay their most auspicious and humble homage to the greatest martyrdom of Imam Hussain, who sacrificed his life at Karbala with his 72 companions," he said.

Hyder Zaidi said that the Iraqi authorities had already reported last week that at least 14 million Iranians, the largest number on record had come to Iraq for Arbaeen this year. The crowds are so huge, but the Governor of Karbala, said it was the largest attendance ever.

"The number of visitors are so high that the country 's top brass had to revise its security plan and open new access routes to the Holy City of Karbala, a medium - sized city about 70 kilometers south of the capital Baghdad", he added.