Hawzah News Agency- the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and the mentor of the Nigerian Shiites Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky arrived in Iraq this morning on Wednesday, August 21 in order to participate in the Arbaeen commemoration of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him).

Upon his arrival in Iraq, the Shiite leader of Nigeria went to the city of Najaf Ashraf, and a significant number of scholars and representatives of the Shia authorities, as well as religious institutions, including the Institute of the Heirs of the Prophets of Najaf, warmly welcomed him. The Nigerian scholar further visited holy shrines in other cities of Iraq. Attending in the Arbaeen procession has also been announced as part of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky's plans during his trip to Iraq.

It should be noted that in this trip, a group of Sheikh's lawyers and representatives in other provinces and states of Nigeria will also accompany him.

Arbaeen commemoration, one of the biggest events of the Shiite calendar which marks the 40th day of mourning for Imam Hussein (PBUH), the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

Last year, some 22 million pilgrims attended the commemoration in the Iraqi shrine city of Karbala, where Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his brother Hazrat Abbas are buried, according to official figures.