Arbaeen pilgrims on foot in the mud

The family drove from the Iranian clerical centre of Qom to Najaf -- a second Shiite holy city in Iraq -- and then walked 80 kilometres (50 miles) to Karbala, home to the shrines of Imam Hussein and his brother, Abbas. Najme's mother Latifa could not disguise her joy. "I keep calling the family back in Iran -- I send them photos and videos, to share the atmosphere with them," she said. Iranian pilgrims have flocked to the event this year in part due to Baghdad and Tehran waiving visa requirements for travel between the two countries since late last year.