Millions defy bombs to attend Iraqi Shi'ite ritual

KERBALA,Iraq-Iraqi officials said on Thursday they had defused three car bombs aimed at some of the 7 million pilgrims visiting Kerbala for one of Shi'ite Islam's most important rituals.Guarded by 40,000 Iraqi police and soldiers backed by tanks, crowds of pilgrims, some beating their heads and whipping themselves, gathered in the holy city to observe Arbain.Many of the millions travel to the event by foot, providing a stern test for Iraqi security forces after suspected Sunni Arab insurgents killed 149 pilgrims in attacks last year. Aqeel al-Khazali, the governor of Kerbala, said security forces had defused three car bombs at entrances to the city during the lead-up to Arbain. Despite the risk of attacks, pilgrims said they were determined to attend."I lost my hand last year in a bomb blast in Kerbala. I lost my close friends," said Mohammed Abbas, 41 who lives in Kerbala, 110 km (70 miles) south of Baghdad."Nevertheless I decided to leave all fears and painful memories behind.I have come to join the rituals to feel I am still alive,"he told Reuters.Arbain marks the end of a 40-day mourning period following Ashura, the religious ritual that commemorates the death of the Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein in 680.
Kerbala's wide avenues and backstreets were awash with black-clad pilgrims who waved brightly colored flags and banners bearing the name of the province from where they came. http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2776850920080228
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