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The Latest Breaking News from Karbala

Millions join Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq amid regional tensions and fears of US-Iran escalation

Millions of Shiite Muslims are observing the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage in Karbala, Iraq, despite regional tensions and fears of escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict

The Independent UK

Pilgrims converge on Iraq's city of Karbala for the annual Arbaeen religious gathering, in photos

Millions of Shiite Muslim pilgrims are making their way to the Iraqi holy city of Karbala ahead of Arbaeen, one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.

The Independent UK

Why Arbaeen – the Shiite Muslim pilgrimage of mourning – has a deep significance that brings millions to Iraq each year

Every year, millions of pilgrims walk from the deserts of southern Iraq to the holy city of Karbala for Arbaeen, one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world. In 2026, pilgrims will converge on Karbala on Aug. 5.

The Conversation

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Iran's funeral politics: Khamenei's burial becomes message to region and rivals

Iran used the funeral ceremonies for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as a carefully orchestrated display of regional influence, religious symbolism and diplomatic hierarchy, deploying Quran recitations to send messages to allies, rivals and friends alike.

The Times of India

Video shows fighter jet escorting slain Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei’s coffin to Mashhad

The coffin of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been returned to Iran from Iraq following solemn funeral rites held in both Najaf and Karbala. His arrival in Mashhad drew large crowds as the community prepared for his burial at the Imam Reza shrine. Khamenei passed away on February 28 during a…

The Times of India

Iraq’s holy cities host funeral processions for Khamenei

NAJAF, Iraq - Crowds thronged the streets of Najaf on Wednesday as the coffin of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei moved through the holy city in a procession devoted to Iraq, home to Shia Islam’s most sacred shrines.

Bangkok Post

Iraq's holy cities to host funeral processions for Ali Khamenei

Funeral processions for Iran's slain leader Ali Khamenei will pass through Iraq's holy cities. Ceremonies began Saturday in Iran and will include a dedicated day for neighboring Iraq. Iraqi officials received Khamenei's remains Tuesday night at Najaf international airport. Huge crowds are expected in Najaf and Karbala for the significant…

The Economic Times

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Huge crowds flood Iraq’s holy cities for Khamenei funeral procession

The funeral procession of Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continued to draw massive crowds as it made its way through the holy cities of Iraq, home to some of the Shia faith's most sacred shrines. The six-day funeral ceremony will conclude on Thursday when Khamenei's body is returned…

France 24

Iraq: Ashoura in Karbala draws thousands of Shiite pilgrims for rituals

Thousands of Shiite pilgrims mark Ashoura in Karbala, mourning Imam Hussein’s 680 AD death with processions, prayers and reinforced security.

Euronews

Inside the city of grief hit hardest by Israel strikes on southern Lebanon

People in Nabatieh mourn the city’s recent dead in religious ceremony held amid empty streets and shattered buildings

The Guardian - UK

Iraq's first industrial-scale solar plant opens in Karbala desert to tackle electricity crisis

Iraq is opening its first industrial-scale solar plant in Karbala province

The Independent UK

Twelver Shiism – a branch of Islam that serves both as a spiritual and political force in Iran and beyond

Twelver Shiism is the largest branch within Shiism – one of the two major sects within Islam. Shiism is the second-largest tradition within Islam overall, following the Sunni tradition.

The Conversation

Millions of Shiite Muslim pilgrims head to Iraq's Karbala to mark the death of Imam Hussein

Millions of Shiite Muslims have packed the streets of the Iraqi city of Karbala on their annual pilgrim to mark the death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein who became a symbol of resistance when he refused to pledge allegiance to the Umayyad caliphate, leading to his death in battle during…

The Independent UK

Bus crash in Iran kills at least 28 Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Iraq

Accident in central province of Yazd was blamed on a defective braking system, according to preliminary police probe.

Al Jazeera

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The Independent UK

18 people have been killed in Iraq after a bus carrying Shiite pilgrims to Karbala overturned

Iraqi medical officials say 18 people have been killed after a bus carrying pilgrims to the Iraqi city of Karbala overturned north of Baghdad

Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraqis Protest Amendments to Electoral Law

Hundreds of Iraqis took to the streets in several governorates in the central and southern parts of the country on Sunday evening, protesting against the new proposed amendment to the electoral law. The growing popular discontent aimed to force the parliament not to approve the draft amendment and reinstate the…

The Times of India

Muslims will turn cities into 'Karbala', if anyone tries to put hands on 'izzat' of Prophet Muhammad: JD(U) leader Gulam Rasool Balyawi

PATNA: JD(U) national general secretary and former Rajya Sabha member Gulam Rasool Balyawi has sparked a major political controversy with his remark that Muslims will turn cities into "Karbala" if anyone tries to put hands on the "izzat" of Prophet Muhammad.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Kadhimi Urges Dialogue to Overcome Iraq's 'Most Difficult Crises'

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi was relieved by the success of the largest Arbaeen march to Karbala city in decades amid exacerbating political challenges and crises.

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Al Jazeera

Arbaeen pilgrimage brings millions to Iraqi city of Karbala

Shia pilgrims arrive in the holy city of Karbala on Friday to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn.

The Conversation

How Shiite Islam reached Tanzania, and Ashoura processions became an annual tradition

Each year, the largest contemporary Muslim pilgrimage takes place in Iraq to remember Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. Before the pandemic, this event reportedly drew more than 30 million people, but in recent years participation declined to more than 14 million. This procession from Najaf to Karbala, where Hussein…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Iran Shuts Crossings with Iraq following Border Chaos

The influx of large numbers of Iranian visitors coming to Karbala to commemorate the religious Arbaeen pilgrimage, caused turmoil at most of the border crossings in the country’s east. Iranian authorities announced they were closing all roads leading to Iraq, “due to the disturbing events that occurred on the Shalamcheh…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Karbala Probes Shrine Collapse, Seeks Help of Geologists

Nasif al-Khattabi, governor of Iraq’s Karbala region, has officially formed an investigation committee to probe a landslide that struck the Qattarat al-Imam Ali shrine on Saturday. The landslide had hit the ceiling of the Qattarat al-Imam Ali, which then collapsed on top of Shia pilgrims inside.

Asharq Al-Awsat

More Bodies Pulled from Iraq Shrine after Landslide

Two bodies were recovered on Monday from a shrine in Iraq's Karbala province after a landslide caused it to partially collapse, bringing the overall toll to seven dead, rescue services said. "Unfortunately, we found this morning two bodies, a man and a woman", under the rubble of Qattarat al-Imam Ali,…

Al Jazeera

Frantic rescue effort under way at Iraq shrine hit by landslide

Operation continues to save people trapped under the rubble at the Qattarat al-Imam Ali shrine in Karbala province.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraq Keeps Up Search after Bodies Pulled from Collapsed Shrine

Iraqi rescue workers Sunday were desperately searching for survivors trapped under rubble after a landslide hit a Shiite Muslim shrine, killing at least four people. "We have found four bodies, including of a woman" at the site near Karbala, central Iraq, civil defense official Abdelrahman Jawdat told AFP.

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