Millions of Iraqis Mark Martyrdom Anniversary of 7th Imam in Baghdad

Local Editor

Millions of people had converged in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of the 7th Shia Imam, Imam Musa ibn Jafar al-Kazim [PBUH], amid tightened security measures.

On Tuesday, Iraqi security forces blocked all main roads in Baghdad to ensure the safety of the pilgrims who traditionally travel on foot to the neighborhood of Kadhimiya in northern Baghdad, where the shrine is located.

The commemoration takes place despite security threats. At least 18 Shia pilgrims were killed and 45 people injured in a car bombing claimed by Daesh [Arabic acronym for "ISIS" / "ISIL"] terrorists just on Monday.

"This pilgrimage represents a defeat for terrorism," Mohammed Nayif, 32, from Iraq's Babil Province said, adding, "We are not afraid of the explosions and nothing will stop us."

An official from the shrine said that millions of people had taken part in the pilgrimage in recent days.

Gruesome violence had plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since Daesh terrorists launched an offensive in June 2014 and took control of portions of Iraqi territory.

Latest figures released by the United Nations [UN] show that at least 741 Iraqi people, including soldiers and civilians, lost their lives in violence in the country in the month of April.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team