UNCOVERED: Karbala | History Defined

Millions join Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq amid regional tensions and fears of US-Iran escalation

Millions of Shiite Muslims are observing the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage in Karbala, Iraq, despite regional tensions and fears of escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict

The Independent UK · Aug 4

Pilgrims converge on Iraq's city of Karbala for the annual Arbaeen religious gathering, in photos

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.

The Independent UK · Aug 3

Why Arbaeen – the Shiite Muslim pilgrimage of mourning – has a deep significance that brings millions to Iraq each year

Every year, millions of pilgrims walk from the deserts of southern Iraq to the holy city of Karbala for Arbaeen, one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world. In 2026, pilgrims will converge on Karbala on Aug. 5.

The Conversation · Jul 31

Huge crowds flood Iraq’s holy cities for Khamenei funeral procession

The funeral procession of Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continued to draw massive crowds as it made its way through the holy cities of Iraq, home to some of the Shia faith's most sacred shrines. The six-day funeral ceremony will conclude on Thursday when Khamenei's body is returned…

France 24 · Jul 8

Iraq: Ashoura in Karbala draws thousands of Shiite pilgrims for rituals

Thousands of Shiite pilgrims mark Ashoura in Karbala, mourning Imam Hussein’s 680 AD death with processions, prayers and reinforced security.

Euronews · Jun 26

Inside the city of grief hit hardest by Israel strikes on southern Lebanon

People in Nabatieh mourn the city’s recent dead in religious ceremony held amid empty streets and shattered buildings

The Guardian - UK · Jun 19

Iraq's first industrial-scale solar plant opens in Karbala desert to tackle electricity crisis

Iraq is opening its first industrial-scale solar plant in Karbala province

The Independent UK · Sep 20, 2025

Twelver Shiism – a branch of Islam that serves both as a spiritual and political force in Iran and beyond

Twelver Shiism is the largest branch within Shiism – one of the two major sects within Islam. Shiism is the second-largest tradition within Islam overall, following the Sunni tradition.

The Conversation · Aug 18, 2025

Millions of Shiite Muslim pilgrims head to Iraq's Karbala to mark the death of Imam Hussein

Millions of Shiite Muslims have packed the streets of the Iraqi city of Karbala on their annual pilgrim to mark the death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein who became a symbol of resistance when he refused to pledge allegiance to the Umayyad caliphate, leading to his death in battle during…

The Independent UK · Aug 24, 2024

Bus crash in Iran kills at least 28 Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Iraq

Accident in central province of Yazd was blamed on a defective braking system, according to preliminary police probe.

Al Jazeera · Aug 21, 2024