Shia pilgrims flock to Karbala for Arbaeen climax Published duration 14 December 2014

image copyright AP image caption An estimated 17 million people celebrated the event

Huge numbers of Shia Muslim pilgrims gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala at the climax of a key festival, despite threats of violence.

Iraq says up to 17 million made the pilgrimage over 40 days this year, more than a million from Iran, and many remained for the ceremony of Arbaeen.

Tight security aimed to prevent attacks by Islamic State (IS) and other groups.

Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Hussein, the third Shia Imam, was killed in battle at Karbala in the 7th Century.

His martyrdom is considered a defining event in the schism between Sunnis and Shia Muslims.

image copyright AP image caption Imam Hussain was killed in a 7th Century battle for the leadership of Islam

image copyright AP image caption Pilgrims carried a huge Iraqi flag through the streets

There have been no reports of major incidents at this year's Arbaeen.

The governor of Kerbala Akeel al-Turaihi praised the peaceful conclusion of the pilgrimage.

"We think that the successes of this visitation (pilgrimage) is one of the chapters of victories achieved by our armed forces and volunteers against IS" he said.

IS regards Shia Muslims as heretics and regularly targets them in attacks throughout Iraq.

On Friday, a mortar targeting a Shia mosque north of Baghdad killed eight people.

Arbaeen: Then and now