12,000 security personnel in Karbala to receive pilgrims

KARBALA / IraqiNews.com: A total of 12,000 security personnel have been deployed around the four entrances of Karbala city in preparation for the return of pilgrims from Mecca, the province’s mayor said on Sunday. “All preparations have been made to receive pilgrims coming by land. A security plan has been developed for this purpose,” Aqil al-Khazali told IraqiNews.com. “The first batch of pilgrims is expected to arrive tomorrow,” Khazali explained. Karbala, with an estimated population of 572,300 people in 2003, is the capital of the province and is considered to be one of Shiite Muslims’ holiest cities. The city, 110 km south of Baghdad, is one of Iraq’s wealthiest, profiting both from religious visitors and agricultural produce, especially dates. It is made up of two districts, “Old Karbala,” the religious centre, and “New Karbala,” the residential district containing Islamic schools and government buildings. SS (P) 1