Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered in Iraq's holy city of Karbala on Saturday to mark Arbaeen.

Arbaeen is an annual commemoration of the end of the 40-day mourning period after the seventh century martyrdom of Imam Hussein, Prophet Mohammed’s grandson.

Groups of believers chanted and self-flagellated as part of the religious ceremonies that took place amid tight security.

The faithful traditionally walk for a day or longer to reach Karbala, where crowds chant and march around the Imam Hussein shrine.

The holiday is observed in Shiite communities worldwide, with large gatherings in Iran and southern Lebanon.

(AP)

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