RNA - The pilgrims must reach Karbala, south of Baghdad, by 12th December, a date which marks the end of 40 days' fasting following Ashura, the ritual which marks the death of prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) grandson Imam Hussein (A.S). Karbala is the site of a shrine in Imam Hussein's name on the spot where Imam Hussein and his army were martyred and their holy body desecrated by the army of then-Caliph Yazid in 680.
Many Shia walk from Najaf, a distance of 55 miles, and some even make the 425-mile journey from the port of Basra on foot, which takes two weeks, passing through hostile territory, and deserts which are baking during the day and freezing at night. The pilgrimage was banned under Saddam Hussein and only reintroduced in 2003.
Extremists such as Isis (known in the local language as Daesh) regard Shia Muslims as apostates and attack both believers and their places of worship. The Arbaeen pilgrimage itself has often been targeted by Isis and other fanatical extremists. Last year extremist militants attacked the pilgrimage with suicide bombers and rockets, leaving dozens dead.
Despite the ongoing violence 20 million people including Sunni and Shia as well as some Christians now attend Arbaeen, making it the world's largest annual gathering in one place. Although the Hindu Kumbh Mela is believed to be even larger it is only held every three years.
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