(10 Apr 2018) LEADIN:
Thousands of pilgrims have walked to the holy Shrine of Imam Mousa al-Kazim to commemorate his death.
STORYLINE:
Pilgrims have travelled from cities across Iraq escorted by armoured vehicles, soldiers and ambulances today.
They are on their way, on foot, to the holy Shrine of Imam Mousa al-Kazim to commemorate his death.
Imam al-Kazim is the seventh of the revered 12 Shiite imams who died in a Baghdad prison in the eighth century.
A large number of Iraqi security forces have been deployed along the route leading to Kazimya to protect and secure Shiite pilgrims from any militant attacks. There are security checkpoints along the way.
The Iraqi Red Crescent is also out in force, administering medical help, should the pilgrgims need any. This man is getting a well earned massage as his muscles are not as young as they used to be, and for many people it is a very long walk.
Insurgents have previously staged attacks on Shiites during this religious occasion. In 2005, nearly 1,000 Shiite pilgrims died in a stampede during a religious procession on a bridge near the Imam Kazim shrine.
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