America's North Shore Journal

For the first time since 2003, Shi’a Muslims participated in a mass pilgrimage to the holy city of Samarra July 7. A mass celebration was held in honor of the former Shi’a Supreme Islamic Iraqi leader, Imam Sayyid Baqir al-Sadr. Thousands made the pilgrimage to Samarra to show their respect for the anniversary of Baqir’s death on this date 28 years ago. Baqir could trace his ancestry back to the Holy Prophet Muhammad through the Seventh Imam, Imam Musa al-Kadhim. He had many followers in Iraq prior to his brutal death in 1980. The day was full of celebration and remembrance and demonstrated that security has improved to a level that an event such as this could be held in the once precarious city of Samarra. Iraqi Security Forces provided protection along the route … Read entire article »