20 million Shia pilgrims gather in Iraq for Arbaeen despite Middle East wars

More than 20 million Shia pilgrims have gathered in an Iraqi shrine city for the Arbaeen festival, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, despite ongoing wars across the Middle East. The festival commemorates the death of Imam Hussein. The massive turnout underscores the resilience of the Shia community amid widespread regional instability.