KARBALA PILGRIMS GATHER IN IRAQ AMID TIGHT SECURITY MEASURES

 Shia pilgrims marching to Karbala for the Arba'een ceremony marking the end of the forty day mourning period following the anniversary of the 7th century martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims from around the globe have been descending in past days on the holy city of Karbala in Iraq to commemorate the Arba’een ceremony which marks 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Press TV correspondent in Karbala, Altaf Ahmad, said that black-clad mourners from various Iraqi cities and neighboring countries including Iran, Turkey and Kuwait, are marching toward the city to take part in the Arba’een in honor of Imam Hussein and his 72 companions who were killed in 680 in an epic battle against the tyrant of the time Yazid I.

Security is reported to be tight in the Iraqi cities in order to prevent any terrorist attacks by Takfiri groups operating in the country.

The pilgrims, who are taking part in one of the world's largest human gatherings, have come to Imam Hussein’s shrine to reaffirm their allegiance to the Imam and his ideals.

The Press TV correspondent said over 20 million pilgrims are expected to gather in Karbala during this year’s ceremony, showing a notable increase compared to last year’s 17 to 18 million.

Five million of these pilgrims are estimated to be travelling from Iran.

For Reference
http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/11/29/439657/Iraq-Karbala-Aebaeen

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MULTIPLE BOMBINGS CLAIM FOUR LIVES IN, AROUND IRAQI CAPITAL

Iraqi security and medical officials say at least four people have lost their lives and more than a dozen sustained injuries in a spate of bomb attacks in and around the country’s violence-plagued capital.

A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a civilian was killed and six others wounded when a bomb exploded close to a restaurant in Baghdad’s southeastern neighborhood of al-Arifiyah on Monday, Arabic-language al-Baghdadia satellite television network reported.

Additionally, an improvised explosive device went off near a popular market in the al-A’amiriya neighborhood of western Baghdad, leaving two people dead and seven others injured.

A civilian was also killed and five others were injured when a bombing struck a commercial district in the city of Sabaa al-Bour, located approximately 28 kilometers (18 miles) northwest of Baghdad.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq says a total of 714 Iraqis were killed and another 1,269 wounded in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in October alone. According to the UN mission, the number of civilian fatalities stood at 559. Violence also claimed the lives of 155 members of the Iraqi security forces. A great portion of the fatalities was recorded in Baghdad, where 298 civilians were killed.

The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by violence ever since Takfiri Daesh militants began their march through the Iraqi territory in June 2014. Army soldiers and Popular Mobilization units have joined forces and are seeking to take back militant-held regions in joint operations.

For Reference
http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/11/30/439721/Iraq-Baghdad-bomb-attacks

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IRAN DENOUNCES TERRORIST ATTACKS ON SHIA MUSLIM ON NIGERIA

Iran has denounced a recent terrorist attack in Nigeria that targeted Shia Muslims during a religious ceremony in the northern state of Kano.

“Extremism and terrorism are international threats and it is necessary for all countries to cooperate to counter and eradicate these big, global scourges,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said on Monday.

He also sympathized with the bereaved families of the victims as well as the Nigerian government and nation.

At least 21 people were killed on Friday when a bomber detonated his explosives among a crowd of Shia Muslims participating in a march organized by followers of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in Dakasoye Village south of the city of Kano, the capital of the state with the same name.

The organizers of the procession said several people were also injured in the attack, which happened days before Shias in Nigeria are going to commemorate Arba’een, the 40th day since the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) – the third Shia Imam – and his followers in the Battle of Karbala.

One of the organizers also said the assailant “was dressed in black, like everyone else. His accomplice was initially arrested and confessed they were sent by Boko Haram.”

On Saturday, Boko Karam released a photo of the bomber and claimed responsibility for the attack.

At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5 million made homeless since the beginning of Boko Haram militancy in Nigeria in 2009. The terrorists have recently pledged allegiance to the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group, which is primarily operating inside Syria and Iraq.

For Reference
http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/11/30/439729/Iran-Nigeria-terrorist-attack-Jaberi-Ansari

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ARBAEEN MASS MARCH MANIFESTATION OF DEVOTION AND FAITH: LEADER

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei addresses a group of Iranian clerics during a post-jurisprudence course on November 30, 2015.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the mass march towards the Iraqi city of Karbala to mark the Arba’een ritual is a show of the combination of faith and devotion.

Ayatollah Khamenei, who was addressing a group of Iranian clerics during a post-jurisprudence course on Monday, described as a “lasting privilege” the Arba’een, which marks 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam, who is the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The Leader said that the massive turnout of people from around the world and Iran in the march toward Karbala is a manifestation of the prominent features of the school of Prophet Mohammad’s Household.

“The combination of devotion and faith and wisdom and affection is among the unique features of the school of Prophet Mohammad’s Household,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Imam Hussein and 72 of his loyal companions, including family members, were martyred on Ashura, the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram, in the battle of Karbala against the second Umayyad caliph, Yazid I, in 680 A.D. Imam Hussein was killed after he refused to pledge allegiance to the tyrant ruler.

According to Press TV correspondent in Karbala, Altaf Ahmad, black-clad mourners from various countries including Iran, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and India, are traveling to Karbala not only to mark the occasion but also to reaffirm their allegiance to Imam Hussein.

Five million of these pilgrims are estimated to be coming from Iran.

The pilgrims, among them Sunni Muslims and Christians, showed their commitment to Imam Hussein by walking tens of miles barefoot to reach his shrine.

Iraqi forces have tightened security to protect pilgrims against possible terrorist attacks ahead of the mourning rituals, which falls on December 2 this year.

The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by gruesome violence ever since Daesh terrorists began their campaign of terror in the country in June 2014. Army soldiers and Popular Mobilization units have joined forces and are seeking to take back militant-held regions in joint operations.

For Reference
http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/11/30/439727/Iran-Khamenei-Arbaeen-Imam-Hussein-Karbala-

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