Tehran: A Russian television reporter, who is visiting Iraq to cover the Arbaeen procession, has described the event as 'amazing and incredible', saying that despite being a mourning ritual, Arbaeen has a truly amazing atmosphere.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, while reporting from among the crowd of Arbaeen pilgrims, Sarkar Magomedov, Russia's Channel One reporter, said that every year millions of Muslims from across the world gather in the holy city of Karbala on the occasion of Arbaeen.

Despite the scorching heat of Iraq, people from more than 80 countries - a huge number of the elderly, women, and children among them - have traveled to this country to take part in the Arbaeen ritual. In the extremely hot weather, they walk dozens of kilometers on foot along the roads leading to Karbala, he reported.

According to statistics provided, about 25 million people participate in the Arbaeen march in Iraq, which has turned it into one of the largest marches in the world, Magomedov added.

Arbaeen is one of the most sacred observances for Shia Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the sacrifice of Imam Hussein (PBUH), who was martyred in the 680 AD Battle of Karbala alongside 17 of his family members and more than 70 loyal companions, after refusing to pledge allegiance to Yazid, the Umayyad ruler.