Aerial photo shows Shiite pilgrims gathering between the illuminated holy shrine of Imam Hussein and the holy shrine of Imam Abbas, ahead for Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashura, in Karbala, Iraq, late Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
The sun rises as Shiite pilgrims march on their way, to Karbala, to observe Arbaeen that marks the end of a 40-day mourning period following the Day of Ashura, in Najaf, Iraq, Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
Shiite Muslim worshippers reach out to touch the shrine surrounding the tomb of Imam Hussein ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashoura, at the Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
A Irani Shiite Muslim weeps as he prays inside the holy shrine of Imam Hussein ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashoura, in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite Muslim worshippers march toward the Imam Hussein Shrine ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashoura, in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite Muslim worshippers beat their chests in a ritual act of mourning as they march toward the Imam Hussein Shrine ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashoura, in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite Muslim worshippers beat their chests in a ritual act of mourning as they march toward the Imam Hussein Shrine ahead of Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashoura, in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
The sun rises as Shiite pilgrims march on their way, to Karbala, to observe Arbaeen that marks the end of a 40-day mourning period following the Day of Ashura, in Najaf, Iraq, Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
A Irani Shiite Muslim weeps as he prays inside the holy shrine of Imam Abbas ahead of the Arbaeen festival in Karbala, Iraq, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite Muslim worshippers gather inside the holy shrine of Imam Abbas ahead of the Arbaeen festival in Karbala, Iraq, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite pilgrims march to Karbala for Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashura, in Babil, Iraq, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite pilgrims march to Karbala for Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashura, in Babil, Iraq, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite pilgrims march to Karbala, to observe Arbaeen that marks the end of a 40-day mourning period following the Day of Ashura, in Najaf, Iraq, Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
Shiite pilgrims march to Karbala for Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashura, in Babil, Iraq, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Water is sprayed over Shiite pilgrims to cool them as they make their way to Karbala for Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashura, in Najaf, Iraq, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ammar Khalil)
Water is sprayed over Shiite pilgrims to cool them as they make their way to Karbala for Arbaeen, the annual Shiite commemoration marking 40 days after Ashura, in Najaf, Iraq, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ammar Khalil)
Shiite pilgrims march to Karbala, to observe Arbaeen that marks the end of a 40-day mourning period following the Day of Ashura, in Najaf, Iraq, Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
Iranian Shite pilgrims arrive at the Al-Mundheriya border crossing to join millions of Muslims heading to the holy city of Karbala for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, in Diyala, Iraq, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Iranian Shite pilgrims carrying Iranian flags arrive at the Al-Mundheriya border crossing to join millions of Muslims heading to the holy city of Karbala for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, in Diyala, Iraq, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Shiite pilgrims march to Karbala, to observe Arbaeen that marks the end of a 40-day mourning period following the Day of Ashura, in Najaf, Iraq, Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
Audio By Carbonatix
11:11 AM on Monday, August 3
By HADI MIZBAN and ANMAR KHALIL
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.
Many walk for days while others travel from neighboring countries, including Iran, crossing border checkpoints before continuing toward the Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala. Along the routes, volunteers provide food, water and shelter to those undertaking the pilgrimage.
Arbaeen marks 40 days after Ashoura, the day commemorating the 680 A.D. martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Battle of Karbala. His death is one of the defining events in Shiite Islam.
The pilgrimage culminates at the Imam Hussein Shrine and the nearby Imam Abbas Shrine, where millions gather for prayers and devotional rituals, including chest beating in mourning and reaching out to touch the shrine.
The pilgrimage draws millions of worshippers from Iraq and around the world.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
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