Aerial photo shows Shiite pilgrims gathering between the illuminated holy shrine of Imam Hussein and the holy shrine of Imam Abbas, ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashura, in Karbala, Iraq, late Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite Muslim worshippers reach out to touch the shrine surrounding the tomb of Imam Hussein ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashoura, at the Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
An Irani Shiite Muslim weeps as he prays inside the holy shrine of Imam Hussein ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashoura, in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite Muslim worshippers march toward the Imam Hussein Shrine ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashoura, in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite Muslim worshippers beat their chests in a ritual act of mourning as they march toward the Imam Hussein Shrine ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashoura, in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite Muslim worshippers beat their chests in a ritual act of mourning as they march toward the Imam Hussein Shrine ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashoura, in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
An Irani Shiite Muslim weeps as he prays inside the holy shrine of Imam Abbas ahead of the Arbaeen festival in Karbala, Iraq, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Iranian Shiite pilgrims arrive at the Al-Mundheriya border crossing to join millions of Muslims heading to the holy city of Karbala for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, in Diyala, Iraq, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Iranian Shiite pilgrims carrying Iranian flags arrive at the Al-Mundheriya border crossing to join millions of Muslims heading to the holy city of Karbala for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, in Diyala, Iraq, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Audio By Carbonatix
2:11 PM on Monday, August 3
By HADI MIZBAN and ANMAR KHALIL
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.
Many walk for days while others travel from neighboring countries, including Iran, crossing border checkpoints before continuing toward the Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala. Along the routes, volunteers provide food, water and shelter to those undertaking the pilgrimage.
Arbaeen marks 40 days after Ashoura, the day commemorating the 680 A.D. martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Battle of Karbala. His death is one of the defining events in Shiite Islam.
The pilgrimage culminates at the Imam Hussein Shrine and the nearby Imam Abbas Shrine, where millions gather for prayers and devotional rituals, including chest beating in mourning and reaching out to touch the shrine.
The pilgrimage draws millions of worshippers from Iraq and around the world.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
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