Arbaeen, which occurs 40 days after Ashura, marks the end of the mourning period for Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. This year, millions of pilgrims from around the world have flocked to the Iraqi city of Najaf, home to the shrine of Imam Ali, to begin their walking journey to Karbala.
According to photographers on the ground, the atmosphere in Najaf is bustling and vibrant. Residents and visitors have decorated the streets, set up rest stops, and distributed water and food to pilgrims. Many volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure everyone has a safe and smooth journey.
The photos taken from Najaf show the grandeur of the holy site and the massive crowds moving toward Karbala. Arbaeen is considered one of the largest religious gatherings on Earth, attracting tens of millions of people each year.
The Iraqi government has implemented strict security measures and deployed rescue and medical teams along the routes to best meet the needs of pilgrims.
