Millions of Muslims from dozens of countries are converging on the Iraqi holy city of Karbala to commemorate Arba’een, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam.

According to The Iran Project, for at least two weeks, pilgrims from countries including Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, have been arriving in the city, located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) southwest of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, with tens of thousands coming before the actual day of Arba’een, which falls on August 25 this year.

Pilgrims travel to the holy city to have a chance to touch the gilded grille that surrounds Imam Hussein’s tomb and slip messages through the bars. 

They carry their belongings in backpacks or bags perched on their heads as they move toward Karbala on foot from different directions. Many young men carry tents so that they can sleep on the streets.