Tens of thousands of pilgrims have been flooding into Iraq's holy city of Karbala despite the Covid-19 pandemic for the pilgrimage of Arbaeen, one of the world's biggest religious gatherings.
Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of Imam Hussain, Prophet Mohammed's (pbuh) grandson, and falls on Thursday.
But unlike previous years, Iraq had closed its borders to non-residents, allowing only residents to take part in Ashura.
Iraq's borders opened for Arbaeen but with restrictions on Arbaeen arrivals, in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.
