Pilgrims in massive numbers converged on the Iraqi city of Karbala on Tuesday to perform Arbaeen rituals in commemoration of Imam Hossein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam.
The occasion, one of the world’s largest religious congregations, comes 40 days after Ashura, the anniversary of the day Imam Hussein (PBUH), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his companions embraced martyrdom in the Battle of Karbala in the seventh century.
Each year, Muslim pilgrims from across the world flock to Iraq in the weeks leading to Arbaeen and walk toward Karbala on foot.
This year's pilgrimage culminated on Tuesday.
Millions of pilgrims gathered in Karbala to join the mourning procession to the golden-domed shrine.
Over two million Iranian pilgrims have reportedly passed border crossings with Iraq to attend the grand congregation.
In Tehran, thousands of people took part in a large symbolic march marking Arbaeen.
Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei also hosted a ceremony to pay tribute to one of the most-revered figures in the Muslim world.
Arbaeen is an impressive display of Shia solidarity and conveys a message of unity among Muslims.
In a Twitter post on Monday, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the huge annual turnout relays the message that the struggle for justice is unstoppable.
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