Shia Muslims converge on Iraqi mosque to mark holy day

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD (AA) - More than 300,000 Shia pilgrims have entered Iraq within the past nine days alone to commemorate Musa al-Kadhim, also known as the “Seventh Imam”, the Iraqi authorities said Wednesday.

“They have flocked to Iraq since the first of the month to visit Baghdad’s historic Imam Musa al-Kadhim Mosque,” read a statement released by Iraq’s border authority.

Every year, Shia Muslims come -- from inside and outside Iraq -- to visit the mosque, which is located in Baghdad’s northern Al-Kadhimiya district.

Born in the Al-Barwa region between Mecca and Medina, Musa al-Kadhim was the “Seventh Imam” in the “Twelver Shia” tradition. He died in 799 at the age of 55.

Shia pilgrims generally take part in a ritual reenactment of the imam’s life, which is performed every year outside the mosque.