Thousands of Shiite pilgrims gather at the holy shrine of Imam Ali

(18 Mar 2007)
1. Various of Shiite pilgrims heading to the holy shrine of Imam Ali
2. Mid of hooded army troop opening shrine gate
3. Mid of street sign in Arabic reading: 'Holy Najaf'
4. Wide of crowd of pilgrims
5. Pilgrims hitting their chests
6. Pilgrims carrying Iraqi flag
7. Various of pilgrims hitting their chests
8. Police searching pilgrims
9. Wide of crowd
10. Youths filling water from a fountain
11. Close up of water cups
12. Large cooking pot
13. Wide of the holy shrine of Imam Ali
14. Various of the crowd outside the shrine, pan to the shrine
STORYLINE:
Thousands of Iraqi Shiite pilgrims gathered at the shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf on Sunday, to commemorate the anniversary of Prophet Mohammed's death, amidst tough security measures.
The Imam Ali shrine, the holiest site for Shiite Muslims, and the fourth holiest site in Islam, is in the city of Najaf 180 kilometres south of Baghdad.
The Prophet Mohammed's death falls on 28th of Sufir according to the Hijra or lunar calendar.
Many believers conduct the pilgrimage on foot in order to show their grief at the death of Mohammed.
Mohammed is revered by both Sunni and Shiite Muslims.
On Sunday, pilgrims at the shrine self-flagellated - traditionally a Shiite tradition.
Iraqi security troops were seen searching pilgrims before entering the holy shrine of Imam Ali.
In August of last year, the Imam Ali Shrine was targeted by a suicide bomber who killed close to 40 people and injured at least 50 others.

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