Millions of Shiites mark Iraq pilgrimage

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

KARBALA, Iraq (AFP) — More than three million Shiites marked the annual pilgrimage to Karbala amid tight security and attacks on the way to the holy city that killed dozens of people, officials said on Sunday.

Shiite worshippers from across the Muslim world converged on Karbala over the past week to celebrate Shabaniyah, the birth anniversary of the eighth century Imam Mahdi, who vanished as a boy and whom Shiites believe will return one day as the messiah.

The celebrations culminated overnight on Saturday with more than three million Shiites having visited the central Iraqi city over the past week, Akhil Khazali, the governor of Karbala, told AFP.

"All the government offices and services were on alert during the ceremony," Khazali said.

Iraqi...