1st convoy of Mosul pilgrims since fall of Daesh leave for Karbala

For the first time in several years, a convoy of Shia pilgrims from the Iraqi northern city of Mosul headed for the holy city of Karbala for Arbaeen.

For the first time in several years, a convoy of Shia pilgrims from the Iraqi northern city of Mosul headed for the holy city of Karbala for Arbaeen.

According to Furat news, they left Mosul for Karbala on Wednesday.

Arbaeen comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hussein, peace be upon him.

Each year, a huge crowd of Shias flock to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him,  is located, to perform mourning rites.

In the past few years, around 20 million pilgrims from all over the world took part in the mourning ceremonies in the Iraqi holy city marking Arbaeen. This year, Arbaeen falls on Tuesday, October 30. 

Mosul was occupied by the Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorist group in 2014. After three years of fighting, the Iraqi army and popular forces, known as Hashd al-Shaabi, liberated the city and put an end to the terrorists’ so-called caliphate.