Sweets for sale with a poster of the very handsome Imam Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.


And outside the Shrine of Imam Husayn ibn Ali, the mosque and burial site of the third Imam of Islam and is located near where he was martyred during the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.


After storing our shoes, phones and cameras we joined the throngs of pilgrims and filed into the shrine after a security pat down.

The shrine was full of worshippers, both men, women and children. We then joined the crowd and visited the zarih, the very an ornate, gilded, lattice structure, that enclosed the grave of Imam Husayn ibn Ali.

It was quite a special experience, being amongst the pilgrims that were praying at this very holy and spiritual place.

We then retreated to the mosque and sat down on the carpet to relax and take in the atmosphere. I thought some pilgrims would be hesitant with Westerners inside the mosque, but we had no issues and we even approached by some curious ladies who wanted to chat as they had friends and relatives living overseas in various Western countries.

A photo of the interior of the Shrine of Imam Husayn ibn Ali (by Karbobala Photos, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0).


We then went outside into the courtyard between the two mosques.


Families enjoying the cool evening temperature with the Shrine of Imam Husayn ibn Ali in the distance.


Outside the Al Abbas Mosque, which is the home of the tomb of Abbas ibn Ali, the son of Imam Ali (cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad), the first Imam of Shia Muslims and the fourth Caliph of Sunni Muslims.


As with the Shrine of Imam Husayn ibn Ali, we were able to joining the Shi'ite pilgrims and enter the mosque and visit the zarih and again experience the serene and peaceful atmosphere whilst amongst the scores of worshippers.

After the memorable and moving visit to the two mosques we started to make our way back towards the hotel.