Muslims observe Arbaeen across Iran

Millions of Iranians are holding mourning rituals on Arbaeen, which marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and the third Shia imam.

Black-clad Iranian mourners have taken to the streets and local mosques and other religious and community centers to participate in observances where elegies are recited in memory of Imam Hussein and his 72 loyal companions. They were martyred in an unequal battle with the troops of second Umayyad caliph Yazid ibn Muawiyah in 680 CE at a place still remembered and referred to as Karbala located in Iraq.

Arbaeen, which falls on December 23 this year, is a public holiday in Iran and is also commemorated in several other countries, namely Lebanon, Turkey, Pakistan and India.

Meanwhile in Iraq, millions of Muslims from around the world have thronged the holy city of Karbala.

Tight security measures have been put in place with a large number of security forces deployed in sacred sites for the occasion.

Iraqi security forces have sealed off roads and increased checkpoints on routes used by Shias to visit shrines in southern cities and around the capital Baghdad.

Authorities estimate that some 15 million people have braved the cold and deadly violence to attend Arbaeen ceremonies in Karbala.

Despite tight security measures, dozens of people heading to Karbala have been killed in terrorist attacks over the past few days.

On December 19, a bomber attacked Shia pilgrims in Latifiyah area in the south of Baghdad, killing eight people and injuring 15 others.

It was the third such attack in the day when similar attacks killed 20 people and injured 40 others in the Dura area of southern Baghdad.