On eve of Iran’s Pezeshkian visit, Iraq jostles for Shiite space amid rivalries - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Analysis

Shelly Kittleson

Shelly Kittleson

Sep 10, 2024

Shiite Muslim devotees attend mourning rituals in Iraq's central holy shrine city of Karbala on August 23, 2024 ahead of the Arbaeen commemorations that mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein ibn Ali. (Photo by Ali Abdul Wahid / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ALI ABDUL WAHID/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) — Shiite Muslim devotees attend mourning rituals in Iraq's central holy shrine city of Karbala on August 23, 2024 ahead of the Arbaeen commemorations that mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein ibn Ali. — AFP via Getty Images

MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images

Houthis revive Shiite festivals to strengthen grip on north

A correspondent in Yemen

A correspondent in Yemen

Shiite Muslims gather in Iraq's shrine city of Karbala, to mark 40 days after the holy day of Ashura commemorating the seventh century killing of Imam Hussein

Influx of Iranians bolsters Iraq's Arbaeen pilgrimage

Agence France-Presse

Iraqi Shiite Muslim pilgrims who began their march from the southern port city of al-Faw walk through Basra on their way to the holy city of Karbala ahead of the Arbaeen religious festival on Sept. 17, 2020.

Iraq under pressure to open borders for Shiite pilgrims despite pandemic

Hassan Al-Saeed

Hassan Al-Saeed

The dueling ayatollahs

Ali Mamouri