The Iraqi city of Karbala Attracted 22 Million Pilgrims this Year

Accompanied by religious chants and prayers, processions of the faithful holding up black banners with Hussein's image moved around the two mausoleums and the esplanade. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani visited Karbala on Tuesday evening, where he said: "The state has mobilised all of its resources to serve its citizens", according to a statement from his office. He also hailed the volunteers from across Iraq's provinces who preserve the tradition of setting up and financing "mawakeb", stands that serve free drinks and food along the pilgrim routes.