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Shia pilgrims flock to Iraqi city Shia pilgrims flock to Iraqi city
(30 minutes later)
Hundreds of thousands of Shia Muslims have gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala for the climax of the religious festival of Ashura.Hundreds of thousands of Shia Muslims have gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala for the climax of the religious festival of Ashura.
The final processions will take place under tight security with more than 20,000 police deployed and marksmen placed on buildings. Final processions will take place under tight security with more than 20,000 police deployed and marksmen placed on buildings.
Some pilgrims will march in the city, flagellating themselves with chains. Early in the day, a bomb killed four pilgrims in north-east Iraq.
Iran, which has the world's biggest Shia population, is monitoring its own events for signs of opposition unrest.Iran, which has the world's biggest Shia population, is monitoring its own events for signs of opposition unrest.
The festival mourns the 7th Century death in Karbala of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.The festival mourns the 7th Century death in Karbala of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
In previous years, Iraq has seen attacks on pilgrims attending the ceremonies by militants trying to instigate violence between Shia Iraqis and the Sunni minority. The roadside blast in Tuz Khurmato, near the northern city of Kirkuk, hit a crowd of pilgrims, killing at least four people and injuring more than 15.
Over the past week, police reported a number of bombings directed at Shia pilgrims. It came after police reported a number of bombings directed at Shia pilgrims in the past week.
Two pilgrims were killed on Saturday by a roadside bomb in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.Two pilgrims were killed on Saturday by a roadside bomb in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
In previous years, Iraq has seen attacks on pilgrims attending the ceremonies by militants trying to instigate violence between Shia Iraqis and the Sunni minority.
Flags of mourningFlags of mourning
The Iraqi authorities say thousands of members of the security forces have formed cordons around Karbala.The Iraqi authorities say thousands of members of the security forces have formed cordons around Karbala.
Men across the Shia world have been flagellating themselvesMen across the Shia world have been flagellating themselves
Dogs trained to detect explosives are being used at checkpoints and helicopters are providing extra surveillance.Dogs trained to detect explosives are being used at checkpoints and helicopters are providing extra surveillance.
Checks are being made for swine flu among some 60,000 foreign pilgrims expected to attend the ceremonies, provincial governor Amal Adin al-Her told AFP news agency.Checks are being made for swine flu among some 60,000 foreign pilgrims expected to attend the ceremonies, provincial governor Amal Adin al-Her told AFP news agency.
Black flags of mourning have appeared across the city and most of the pilgrims are dressed in black.Black flags of mourning have appeared across the city and most of the pilgrims are dressed in black.
Some pilgrims will march in the city, flagellating themselves with chains.
"I came to show my belief in Imam Hussein," said Mohammed Abdul Hussein, 40, who travelled from the neighbouring Iraqi province of Babil."I came to show my belief in Imam Hussein," said Mohammed Abdul Hussein, 40, who travelled from the neighbouring Iraqi province of Babil.
"This event has nothing to do with personal motivations or politics.""This event has nothing to do with personal motivations or politics."
Worshippers are also set to gather in other countries with large Shia communities such as Pakistan and Bahrain.Worshippers are also set to gather in other countries with large Shia communities such as Pakistan and Bahrain.
In the run-up to Ashura, Iran has seen clashes in the capital Tehran and other cities between opposition protesters and government forces.In the run-up to Ashura, Iran has seen clashes in the capital Tehran and other cities between opposition protesters and government forces.
The momentum behind the opposition seems to be growing and new protests are expected to be be held at Ashura events on Sunday, says the BBC's Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne.The momentum behind the opposition seems to be growing and new protests are expected to be be held at Ashura events on Sunday, says the BBC's Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne.
The opposition says President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election in June was rigged - a charge he rejects.The opposition says President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election in June was rigged - a charge he rejects.