Shi'ite Muslims attend Friday prayers at the Imam Hussein shrine in the holy city of Kerbala July 18, 2014. Iraq's top Shi'ite Muslim cleric criticised the government and international agencies on Friday for failing to do enough to help hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced by fighting between government forces and Sunni Islamist insurgents. REUTERS/Mushtaq Muhammed (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS RELIGION) 

Pilgrims pray at Imam Hussein shrine in Kerbala, 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Baghdad, January 5, 2009. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Shi'ites will visit the holy city of Kerbala throughout the Ashura week to mark the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of prophet Mohammad. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen (IRAQ) 

A woman prays at the Imam Hussein shrine in Kerbala, 110 km (70 miles) south of Baghdad, March 30, 2007. REUTERS/Mushtaq Muhammad (IRAQ) 

IRAQI SHI'ITE MUSLIMS BEAT THEIR CHESTS TO MARK THE END OF THE PROCESSION TO
THE HOLY SHRINE OF IMAN HUSSEIN AT THE AL HUSSEIN MOSQUE IN KERBALA.
Iraqi Shi'ite muslims beat their chests to mark the end of the procession to
the holy shrine of Iman Hussein at the Al Hussein mosque in Kerbala April
23, 2003. For the first time in more than a quarter of a century, Iraq's
majority Shi'te Muslims - long oppressed by the now-ousted president - were
celebrating openly in huge numbers one of the most sacred events of their
calendar. The pilgrimage to the holy city of Kerbala, commemorates the 40th
day - the end of the traditional mourning period - after the death in 680 AD
of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad and one of the first
Shi'ite leaders. Pictures of the month April 2003 Pictures of the Year
2003 REUTERS/Jerry Lampen PP04020111 

IRAQI SHI'ITE MUSLIM IS COVERED IN BLOOD AFTER STRIKING HIMSELF ON THE HEAD
WITH A SWORD DURING A PROCESSION TO THE HOLY SHRINE OF IMAN HUSSEIN IN
KERBALA.

An Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim is covered in blood after striking himself on the
head with a sword during a procession to the holy shrine of Imam Hussein in
Kerbala, April 23, 2003. For the first time in more than a quarter of a
century, Iraq's majority Shi'te Muslims - long oppressed by the now-ousted
president - were celebrating openly in huge numbers one of the most sacred
events of their calendar. The pilgrimage to the holy city of Kerbala,
commemorates the 40th day - the end of the traditional mourning period -
after the death in 680 AD of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad
and one of the first Shi'ite leaders. Pictures of the Year 2003 Pictures
of the month April 2003 REUTERS/Jerry Lampen PP03040062 

Iraqi Shi'ites in the Iraqi town of Taleya participate in the pilgrimmage of
hundreds of miles to the sacred city of Kerbala, April 17, 2003, for the
first time in 35 years. The ousting of Saddam Hussein's government by
U.S.-led forces has opened the way for the pilgrimage, one of the holiest
events in the Shi'ite calendar, to be held again on April 23 after being
banned for quarter of a century. Imam Hussein, the son-in-law of the Prophet
Mohammad, was killed in a battle in Kerbala, 75 km (50 miles) south of
Baghdad, and the pilgrimage - Arbaiin - marks the 40th day after his death.
Pictures of the month April 2003 PP03040058 REUTERS/Ruben Sprich

RS/CRB