KARBALA: A gathering of millions of Shia Muslims at shrines and mosques across Iraq for the Ashura religious commemoration passed without any major attacks by early evening under tight security imposed for fear of Islamic State bombers.
In Karbala, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered outside the Shrine of Imam Hussein. During the ritual, Shias were defiant, despite the new dangers posed by IS. “Islamic State cannot stop us from coming with their violence,” said pilgrim Ali Ajaj, 65.
Under strict security measures, cars were not allowed to enter Karbala for fear of car bomb attacks. Instead, pilgrims boarded buses organised by authorities.
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