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Participation in Arbaeen has spiked massively in recent years, with some two to three million Iranians among the 17 to 20 million pilgrims who attended last year.

Friday marks the final day of the mourning for Imam Hussein who was martyred in a battle with the massive army of Yazid after refusing allegiance to the tyrant caliph. Yazid the caliph of Umayyad dynasty was promoting the same type of Islam as ISIS and Wahhabist preach today.

"Today we have defeated the children of Yazid," said the pilgrim from northern Iraq to AFP reporter as he made his way towards the golden-domed mausoleum of the imam killed in the Battle of Karbala.

Arbaeen marks the end of 40 days’ mourning by Shias in memory of the seventh century martyrdom of the Imam Hussein.

The marchers are said to come from over 60 countries, and most of them have marched all the way to Karbala from other Iraqi cities like Najaf and Baghdad in a show of devotion. Each year, Sunni Muslims and followers of other religious groups such as Christians join the journey to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.

The occasion has found additional significance in recent years as it has become a rallying cry for the campaign against ISIS terrorists who have frequently targeted the pilgrims.

Iraqi troops have been deployed to ensure security for the pilgrims. The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by gruesome violence ever since ISIS terrorists began a campaign of terror in the country in June 2014.

The terrorist campaign, however, has not dissuaded pilgrims from around the world from making the journey.

The expulsion of ISIS terrorists from Iraqi cities has added an extra dimension to this year's pilgrimage to Imam Hussein's shrine in Karbala, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) southwest of Baghdad, AFP reported.

"Thanks to God, Imam Hussein has overcome the tyrants. We've crushed them with the force granted to us by God," said 68-year-old Husseini to AFP reporter.