Shiite worshipers carrying a portrait of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the late Iranian Leader Ayatollah Khomeini gather between the holy shrines of Imam Abbas and Imam Hussein during Arbaeen, marking the end of the 40-day mourning period following Ashoura, in Karbala, Iraq, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

It is one of the largest gatherings of people in the world. More than 20 million Shia Muslim pilgrims gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala this week for the annual commemoration of the 7th Century killing of a central figure of their faith. Iran is mostly Shia and this year greater numbers of Iranians participated in the pilgrimage, many say because of the killing of their modern-day religious leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by airstrikes in the early days of the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran. We go to Karbala to hear from some Iranian pilgrims.
  
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