Karbala Pilgrimage-Ashura Escortedby Janab Khursheed Abedi

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Karbala Pilgrimage - AshuraEscorted by Janab Khursheed Abedi

OverviewIn religion & sprituality, pilgrimage is a long journey in search of great moral significance. Sometimes, it isa journey to a shrine of importance to a person's beliefs & faith. Members of many major religionsparticipate in pilgrimages. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim.

Charles Dickens - (1812-1870) English novelists of the Victorian period: “If Hussain fought to quenchhis worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompaniedhim. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam.”

Edward Gibbon - (1737-1794) considered the greatest British historian of his time. : "In a distant ageand climate the tragic scene of the death of Hussain will awaken the sympathy of the coldestreader”. [The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London, 1911, volume 5, pp. 391-2]

Mahatma Gandhi - (1869 – 1948) lawyer, leader of the uprising in India In a statement published in'Young India,'1924 : “I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an undisputedsway over the hearts of millions of mankind.... I became more than ever convinced that it was notthe sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity,the utter self-effacement of Hussain, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion tohis friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his ownmission to save Islam. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmountedevery obstacle. He also said: “I learned from Hussain how to be wronged and be a winner.”

Muhammad Iqbal - (1873-1938) philosopher, poet, and political thinker : “Imam Hussain uprooteddespotism forever till the Day of Resurrection. He watered the dry garden of freedom with thesurging wave of his blood, and indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Hussainhad aimed at acquiring a worldly empire, he would not have travelled the way he did (from Medinato Karbala). Hussain weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily he, therefore, becamethe bed-rock (foundation) of the Muslim creed; La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah).”

Sir William Muir - (1819-1905) Scottish scholar and statesman. (Held the post of Foreign Secretary to theIndian government as well as Lieutenant Governor of the North-western Provinces.) : "The tragedy ofKarbala decided not only the fate of the caliphate, but of the Mohammedan kingdoms long afterthe Caliphate had waned & disappeared”. [Annals of the Early Caliphate, London, 1883, pp. 441-2]

Thomas Carlyle - (1795-1881) Famous British historian “The best lesson which we get from thetragedy of Karbala is that Hussain and his companions were the rigid believers of God. Theyillustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood. Thevictory of Hussain despite his minority marvels me!”

This is what some of the notables of the time believed. On this Journey, you will get the opportunity tovisit & pray at the shrines of the glorious followers of Islam, who made such a lasting impression.

Walk in the footsteps of the Martyrs & rediscover Islam

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Day City Activities (Tour + Ziyarat)*

01 Toronto Depart02 Cairo Arrive / FD Pyramids + City (Optional - extra payment)03 Cairo Baghdad Depart / Arrive / PM Al-Kadhimia Mosque + Shrines

BaghdadNajaf04 Najaf AM / PM Imam Ali Mosque + Wadi-as-salam05 Najaf AM / PM Masjid al-Kuda + Kufa Ziyarat sites06 NajafKarbala AM Ziyarat sites / PM Visit to Ayatollah Sistani*07 Karbala AM / PM Ashura Prtocessions + Majlis08 Karbala AM / PM Mausoleum of Imam al-Husayn + al - Makhayam09 Karbala AM Imam Mahdi’s place + Zainabi Hill + Walking Tour10 Karbala FD Free for Prayers and / or Ziyarats11 Karbala FD Free for Prayers and / or Ziyarats12 Karbala Baghdad AM / PM Samarra Mosque + Al-Askareyya Shrine + Caliph's Residence

Baghdad Cairo13 CairoToronto Depart / Arrive

*All activities, are subject to change without notice and at the informed discretion of Janab Khursheed Abedi sahib.





What you will discover :

Toronto * Cairo * Baghdad * Kadhimia * Najaf * Kufa * Karbala * Samarra *Baghdad * Cairo * Toronto

13 Days / 9 Nights

Day 1 - 07 November: Depart Toronto MS 996 at 11:45 amProceed to Terminal 1 - Toronto Lester Pearson Airport, on your own at least 4 hours prior. You would bemet by Janab Khursheed Abedi, who will assist during your Check-in and formally introduce to othermembers of the Group.

In time, proceed through Security and board the flight. Night on board.

Day 2 - 08 November: Arrive Cairo at 06:15 amWelcome to Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs. The capital, Cairo has been the largest city in Africa andthe Middle East ever since the Mongols wasted Imperial Baghdad in 1258. Acknowledged as UmmDunya or "Mother of the World" by medieval Arabs, and as Great Cairo by 19th century Europeans. AsEgypt has been a prize for conquerors from Alexander the Great to Rommel, so Cairo has been a fulcrumof power in the Arab world from the Crusades unto the present day. More than 16 million people callCairo home and it's chaotic, exotic, smelly, dusty and also beautiful. Perhaps the most interesting sectionof Cairo is medieval (Islamic) Cairo. Medieval Cairo is a warren of streets just bustling with life. There aremosques at every corner, Coptic churches, huge medieval gates and bazaars selling everything frommotorbike parts to perfumes. The ulema of its thousand-year-old Al-Azhar Mosque (for centuries theforemost centre of Islamic intellectual life) remains the ultimate religious authority for millions of SunniMuslims, from Jakarta to Birmingham. Wherever Arabic is spoken, Cairo's cultural magnetism is felt.Every strand of Egyptian society knits and unravels in this febrile megalopolis.

You will be met on arrival at Cairo Intl. Airport by Egyptair staff & transferred to the hotel where you willstay till your onward flight the next day.

We have arranged for an “optional” sightseeing Tour of Cairo for those who don’t want to spend theirtime in the hotel and are interested in discovering this historical city.

Your Tour-guide will meet you in the lobby at the pre-determined time to show you around. Drive to GizaPlateau, site of the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx, whose grandeur remains unsurpassed more than4,000 years after they were erected. The great Pyramids of Giza are some of the most famous manmadeobjects in the world, and they have been famous since ancient times. In fact, the great Pyramid of Khufu(Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives. However, there are actually overone hundred Pyramids in Egypt, including at least eight more at Giza (two belonging to kings and six toqueens). For example, the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Sakkara is extremely important as the first Pyramidbuilt in Egypt, though it is not a true, smooth sided one. There are also a number of pyramids in andaround Dashur that are important because they show the evolution, including the failures and the firstsuccess of the pyramid builders, as they tried to build the first true, smooth sided pyramid. Other laterPyramids are less spectacular, sometimes made of mudbrick and therefore not as well preserved today,but still important, because they are the first to be decorated with inscriptions and various scenes. Forexample, the ruined Pyramids of Unas at Sakkara was the first one that we know of to be inscribed withthe 128 magical spells of the Pyramid text.

Later, proceed for an excursion to Memphis, capital of the ancient kingdom. Much of Memphis' splendorhas been destroyed, but the Alabaster Sphinx built in the 18th Dynasty still remains, as does the StepPyramid of Zoser, the world's oldest free standing stone structure.





Take the opportunity to visit the Solar Boat Museum, where Cheops' reconstructed funeral barge is ondisplay.

Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure for optional activities. Overnight. B L D

Day 3 - 09 November: Depart Cairo MS 637 at 09:30 amArrive Baghdad at 01:00 pm → Kadhimia Najaf (124 kms)

In time, you would be transferred to Cairo International Airport to board your flight for Baghdad.

Welcome to Iraq. After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Baghdad International Airport, subsequent tocustoms & immigration, you will be met by a Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & seeyou off for your short trip to Najaf, enroute visiting the the Shrines at the al-Kadhimiya Mosque.

Kadhimia is a town located in what is now a northern neighbourhood of Baghdad.Also known as Al-Kazimayn, it is regarded as a holy city in Shia Islam. It received its name for the two Shia Imams buriedthere: Musa al - Kadhim and his grandson and successor Mohammad al-Taqi. A shrine was first built overtheir tombs, and subsequently evolved into the al-Kadhimiya Mosque. The area that now constitutes al-Kazimiyyah was originally the location of a graveyard reserved for members of the Quresh tribe. This landwas set aside for this purpose by the Abbasid caliph, Harun al-Rasheed.

In its early history, the town was an important center of Shia learning, perhaps the main center, but overtime the town declined, and other cities rose to prominence. The location of the city has lent it tonumerous plunders, that have resulted in damage to its shrines at different times in history. Among themost damage ever experienced by the town was after the Mongol sack of Baghdad where the shrine ofthe Shia Imams was burnt down. The area was also an important center of resistance against the Britishafter World War I.

Spend time in contemplation before continuing on the drive to the holy city of Najaf.

Najaf has been an important place of pilgrimage for Shiites since Ali's death in 661 AD. In the course ofthe conflict, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ali, was killed at Najaf in 661. Ali was theProphet's closest relative and the one whom the Shiites saw as the Prophet's true successor, and he isregarded as a great saint and martyr.

Najaf in arabic means a high land where water cannot be reached. It is a city situated on high plateauover a sandy ground looking down from northern and eastern sides on wide scope camp of domes andtombs called valley of the peace. Najaf is a city of low-level sprawl, with boulevards lined by trees, archedbrick buildings and streets filled with bearded clerics wearing white or black turbans. It is estimated thatonly Mecca & Medina receive more Muslim pilgrims.

Najaf is renowned as the site of the tomb of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (also known as Imam Ali), the cousin andson-in-law of the prophet Muhammad whom the Shia consider to be the righteous caliph (656-661) andfirst Imam. Najaf is also known for being an Islamic center for scientific, literary and theological studies forthe whole Islamic world and mainly for the Shiites, therefore the city attracts a large number of people,poets, authors and other visitors from all over the world, estimated in millions. Like Karbala, Najafbecame an important center of Islamic scholarship and theology and over the centuries, numeroushospices, schools, libraries and Sufi convents were built around the shrine.

Najaf also contains one of the largest cemeteries in the world. According to Imam Ali, any Muslim buriedhere will enter paradise; as a result, the tombs of several prophets are found in Najaf. Shia Muslimsespecially consider it a privilege to be buried here.





On arrival, check-in at the hotel, located in the vicinity of the Shrine. Khursheed saheb will help you settlein & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the nextfew days.

Evening free to relax and / or to pray. Overnight. B L D

Day 4 - 10 November: Najaf Kufa Najaf (Drive : 10 kms x 2)Early morning, depart for an excursion to Kufa which was the capital of Islam during the reign of Imam Ali.

Kufa is located on the west bank of the Euphrates River and along with Samarra, Karbala, Kadhimiya &Najaf, it is one of five Iraqi cities that are of great importance to Shia Muslims. The city was the finalcapital of Ali ibn Abi Talib and was founded within the first century of the 622. It is a place where Arabcalligraphy was perfected into the splendid Kufic style.

The principal monuments in Kufa are the Great Mosque and the Dar al-Imara, or Governor's Palace. TheMosque was the first thing to be built in Kufa. The Muslims inhabited Kufa in the year 17 A.H., directlyafter the conquest of Iraq.

Visit the historical Mosque and the Tombs of Muslem Ibn Aqeel, Imam Hussain. You will also see thehouse of Imam Ali ; Mausoleum of Sayyida Khadijatul Sughra daughter of Imam Ali - outside MasjidKufa ; Mausoleum of Prophet Yunus - near the river ; Kooba of Ebrahim ibn Hasan al - Muthanna ibnImam Hasan ; Mausoleum of Maytham al - Tammar, companion of Imam Ali ; Mosque of Saasa ibnSauhan, companion of Imam Ali.

Lunch in the local restaurant and then continue on to Masjid Sahla where you would see the Mosalla of6th Imam Jaafar al Sadiq ; Prophet Ibrahim ; Prophet Idris ; Prophet Khidr - also called Maqam al-Saleheen ; Maqam of Imam Jaafar al - Sadiq and Mosque of Zaid.

The Great Mosque of Kufa, or Masjid al-Kufa is one of the earliest mosques in Islam. It was constructedin the middle of the 7th century after the Caliph Omar established the city. The mosque contains theremains of Muslim ibn Ali - first cousin of Husayn ibn Ali, his companion Hani ibn Urwa and therevolutionary Mukhtar al Thaqafi.

The Mosque is revered for various reasons: It was the place where Ali was fatally struck on the head Contains the tombs of Muslim ibn Aqil, Hani ibn Urwa & Mukhtar al Thgafi. There are markers within the mosque indicating the locations for where the court of Ali used to

preside, where he was claimed to perform miracles, and where Ali ibn Husayn & Jaafaer as Sadiqused to perform salah.

Islamic traditions also relate that Adam established the mosque, that it was later the dwellingplace of Noah and that this was the place where he built the Ark

Traditions say that 12,000 Prophets had performed Salah within this mosque, including Abraham,Noah & Muhammad on the Night of Ascension - all are marked within the mosque

It was from this mosque that the diluvium of Noah started submerging earth, as well as being theplace from where the water was re-absorbed according to Shia belief - also marked within theMosque

Imam Jafar Sadiq said that up to twelve miles of land in all directions from the mosque areblessed by its holiness.

Jafar as Sadiq was also recorded as remarking that the "mosque in Kufa is superior to that ofJerusalem and that "performing two prostrations of prayer here would be better for me than tenothers at any mosque."





There are also traditions which state that performing one prayer in this mosque is the same ashaving performed one thousand prayers elsewhere, and performing one obligatory prayer here isequal to having performed an accepted Hajj

The Secretariat of Al-Kufa Mosque and it Shrines describes the mosque as being one of the solefour dignified mosques to which Muslims must travel, and that it comes in third place after theKaaba and the mosque of Prophet."

Return to the hotel. Evening free to relax or to pray. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight. B L D

Day 5 - 11 November: NajafMorning, proceed for your Ziyarat, accompanied by Khursheed sahib. Visit the holy Mosque & Tomb ofImam Ali (peace be upon him), the cousin of Prophet Mohammad and one of the great rulers of Islam.You will also see the Wadi - as - salam and stroll around the famous Najaf Market. You will have Lunchat a local restaurant.

The central focus of Najaf is the Imam Ali Mosque (also known as Meshed Ali or the Tomb of Ali),located in the city center. The gold plated mosque was built over the tomb (whether actual or symbolic)and shrine of Imam Ali, Muhammad's martyred son-in-law. The tomb of Ali is said to have beendiscovered at Najaf around 750 AD, although it is possible he is actually buried in Afghanistan. Theshrine of Ali is the third holiest in the world for Shia Muslims and a major place of pilgrimage. Many Shiabring their dead to the tomb of Ali, carrying the coffin around the sarcophagus before burial. The Mosqueis housed in a grand structure with a gilded dome and many precious objects in the walls. The mosque isresplendent in gold, with 7,777 tiles of pure gold covering the dome and two 35-meter high goldenminarets each made of 40,000 gold tiles. Inside, the mosque is decorated with the opulence typical ofShia mosques, with neon lights reflecting off mirrored tiles and hammered silver walls. Sheltered in themosque is an often-looted treasury of precious objects donated by sultans and other devotees over theyears.

Wadi-as-salam or "Wadi of Peace", is claimed to be the largest cemetery in the Muslim world - perhapsthe largest in the entire world. It contains the tombs of several prophets, along with millions of ShiaMuslims who have aspired to be buried here so they might be raised from the dead with Imam Ali onJudgment Day. Adam and Noah were buried too, at the same place.

Najaf includes several other shrines, including a mosque marking the spot where Ali was martyred. Thereare also cells for Sufi mystics that have formed monastic communities there.

Return to the hotel. Evening free for optional activities or independent exploration. Overnight. B L D

Day 6 - 12 Novermber: Najaf Karbala (Drive: 90 kms)Morning, check-out & proceed for your ziyarat, accompanied by Khursheed sahib, to the places that wemissed yesterday.

Subject to permission & logistics, we could go to visit Ayatollah Sistani and seek guidance from hisdiscourses.

Later, depart for Karbala.

Unlike any other city, Karbala has its named engraved in the memory of generations, and in the expanseof the Muslim world... Believers remember that name with sorrow and distress, for they remember thehistory of the master of all martyrs, Imam Husayn and his sacrifice for Islam.





Karbala is a city in south-central Iraq, about 100km southwest of Baghdad. Upon reaching Karbala, theholy place would draw your attention to its glorious minarets and domes shining due to the light of its lord.

At the city's entrance, you will find a row of houses decorated with wooden columns, and whileproceeding further towards the holy mausoleum and see architecture similar, to some extent, to modernones. Upon reaching the holy shrine, one finds himself in front of a boundary wall that surrounds woodengates covered with glass decorations, and when one enters one of those gates, he enters a precinctsurrounded by small rooms called "I wans”.

Shia Muslims consider Karbala to be one of the holiest places in the world, second only to Mecca andNajaf. Karbala's prominence in Shia Islam is the result of the Battle of Karbala, fought on the site of themodern city on the 10th of Muharram in 61 A.H. (October 10, 680). Karbala is important because it is thesite of the Shrine of Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and a much-revered Shiamartyr. It is also home to the Shrine of Abbas, Husayn's loyal half-brother. Both Husain and his brotherAbbas were buried by the local Bani Asad tribe at what later became known as the Mashad al - Husain.The city grew up around the tombs, though the date of construction of the first sanctuary is not known.

Many elderly Shia Muslims come to Karbala to die because of the belief that Karbala is one of the gatesto the Heavenly Paradise promised the faithful in the Qur'an. (Najaf is even more popular as a place topass on, in order to join Imam Ali at Judgement Day.)

Check-in on arrival. Balance of the day free for contemplation. Overnight. B L D

Day 7 - 13 November: KarbalaMuharram is one of the holiest occasions in the Islamic calendar. It is also the first month of the lunar Hijricalendar, which marks the start of the Islamic New Year and is one of the four most sanctified months inthe Islamic calendar, the other three holy months being Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Rajab.

The Shia Muslims consider Muharram to be the period of mourning and remembering martyrdom ofHazrat Imam Husain. The mourning starts from the 1st night of Muharram and continue for the next 2months and 8 days. Nonetheless, the first ten days of Muharram have more significance. Shia Muslimsput on black dresses on the first day of Muharram and attend majlis (assemblies) where the oratorsnarrate incidents of the battle of Karbala, Hazrat Imam Husain and his people. The black color isregarded as the color of mourning. They even keep themselves away from music and joyous events,such as weddings, that are likely to distract them from the sorrowful remembrance of the

The Battle of Karbala took place on the 10th day of Muharram, that is, Ashura. Muslims across the worldobserve this day with great religious significance.

It was during this month that Imam Husain Ali, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was brutallyassassinated together with his family and supporters thousands years back at the Battle of Karbala.

The most important date for a pilgrimage to Karbala is on Ashura. Originally a minor fasting holiday,Shites have adopted Ashura as the day for commemorating the death of Husayn.

Today is the day of Ashura.

On this 10th day, Shia Muslims take out large processions through the streets carrying Alams andcolorfully decorated Taziyahs (bamboo and paper replicas of the martyrs) embellished with gilt and mica.They even carry colorful replicas of the mausoleum of Hazrat Imam Husain at Karbala. Shia Muslims walkbarefoot on the roads, while the drums are beaten in the background. They chant and weep loudly as anact of mourning for Husain, his family and his followers. To express their grief on the death of Hazrat

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Imam Husain, they beat their chest with hands, known as matam chanting ‘Ya Husain’.

Others flagellate their bodies with chains or whips, consisting of small knives and sharp objects, therebydrawing out blood to feel the pain that Husain Ali and others had been through. The taziyehs, at the endof the day, are taken to the local burial ground, known as Karbala and buried.

Public mourning and bloody re-enactments of the battle are carried out by Shi'ites across the Muslimworld, but the most important of these is at Karbala.

Spend the day in mourning and taking part in the various processions, culminating in majlis and otheractivities.

Come back to the hotel. Overnight. D

Day 8 - 14 November: KarbalaMorning, continue visits to different tombs and the sacred places of interest in Karbala and the vicinity.Lunch in between at a local restaurant.

You will also visit the Mausoleum of 3rd Imam al-Husayn. Inside the shrine, you will find the graves ofImam Husayn and his sons Ali Akbar & Ali Asgher and his close follower Habeeb ibn Mudahir and othertombs.

Shia mosques and shrines tend to be very opulently decorated with precious metals and shiny surfacesand the highly sacred Shrine of Imam Husayn is no exception. The minarets and dome are covered inpure gold. Inside, Husayn's tomb is covered in gold and silver and sheltered by a vast dome covered inmirrored tiles. The screens are made of solid silver. Devotion to Imam Husayn focuses almost exclusivelyon his death as the symbol of redemptive suffering and liberation. Laments, dirges, public expressions ofgrief and reenactments of his murder are major parts of the pilgrimage to Karbala. Once arrived at theshrine, pilgrims kissed the silver cover (since stolen) of Husayn's tomb.

A wide, tree-lined avenue leads from the Shrine of Imam Husayn to the Shrine of Abbas, Husayn's half-brother and the army commander who died with Husayn in the Battle of Karbala. Hadrat Abbas is reveredby Shias for his loyalty to Husayn and bravery in the battle. The tomb of Abbas is also highly decoratedwith precious metals and materials.

Pilgrims to Karbala also visit the parallel Shrine of Hadrat Abbas, Husayn's loyal half-brother who diedwith him in the Battle of Karbala. The Al Abbas Mosque is located directly across from the ImāmHusayn Mosque, and contains the tomb of Abbas ibn Ali, son of Ali and brother of Husayn. The real graveof Abbas is beneath the masoulem, and is present in the shrine. Emperors and kings of various dynastieshave offered valuable gifts and gems to the shrine of Abbas. It was designed by Persian & Central Asianarchitects. The brilliant splash of colors on the exterior and interior of the shrine are impressive. Thecentral pear shaped dome is an ornately decorated structure. On its sides stand two tall minarets. Thetomb is covered with pure gold and surrounded by a trellis of silver. Iranian carpets are rolled out on thefloors.

Visit al - Makhayam, the traditional location of Hussayn's camp. Here the martyrdom of Husayn and hisfollowers is publicly commemorated.

Return to the hotel. Balance of the day free for contemplation or to pray. Overnight. B L D





Day 9 - 15 November: KarbalaThere are other shrines you can visit & pray at. In between, break for Lunch at a local restaurant and thencontinue on your Ziyarats. You can also visit:

Ganj - e - Shohada - graves of the rest of the martyrs of KarbalaQatl-ghahGrave of Ibrahim, son of 7th Imam Musa al - KadhimKhaimaghah : Garden of 6th Imam Jaafar al Sadiq ; Garden of 12th Imam Sahib al - Asr, Al-MahdiMausoleum of Aun, son of Sayyida Zaynab

Return to the hotel. Balance of the day free for contemplation or to explore. Overnight. B L D

Day 10 - 16 November: KarbalaMorning, continue visits to different tombs and the sacred places of interest in Karbala and the vicinity.Lunch in between at a local restaurant.


Day 11 - 17 November: KarbalaMorning, continue for ziyarat to the sacred places including Imam Mahdi place ; Zainabi Hill (the placewhere Zainab, sister of Imam Hussain, was standing and observing the battle of karbala) ; the site whereImam Abass hands were cut.... Stroll around Karbala market where you would have Lunch.


Day 12 - 18 November: Karbala - Samarra Baghdad (Drive: 124 kms)Depart Baghdad MS 638 at 02:00 pm Arrive Cairo at 03:50 pm

Early morning at dawn or earlier, depart for Baghd Airport, enroute visiting Samarra. Samarra is one ofthe four Islamic Holy Cities of Iraq, and is considered as the largest ancient city known in the whole Worldwith its majestic ruins which extends about 9 km horizontally and 34 km vertically along the eastern bankof the Tigris. In 2007, UNESCO named Samarra one of its World Heritage Sites. It was built by Caliph Al-Mu'tasim in 836 AD to replace Baghdad as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, and abandoned byCaliph Al-Mu'tamid in 892 AD. Despite the short sojourn of the Abbasid Caliphate in Samarra, the city'sartistic, literary, and scientific splendors have remained a legend in Arab history.

You will visit the Great Mosque of Samarra is a 9th century Mosque of Samarra - a dominating,magnificent structure that was once the largest mosque in the Islamic world. The Mosque's minaret is thefamous spiralling cone (Al-Malwiya), which rises 27 meters away from the northern side of the Mosque toa height of 52 meters and is 33 meters wide with a spiral ramp. It has a rectangular plan measuring240x160 m with walls 10 m high and 2.65 m thick, supported by 44 towers. The courtyard wassurrounded on all sides by an arcade. The greatest part of which was the one facing Holy Mecca. Themosque had 17 aisles, and its walls were panelled with mosaics of dark blue glass. It was part of anextension of Samarra eastwards.The art and architecture of the mosque was influential; stucco carvingswithin the mosque in floral and geometric designs represent early Islamic decoration. Additionally, themosque of Ibn Tulum in Cairo, Egypt was based on the Samarra mosque in many regards. The mosquewas destroyed in 656 AH after an invasion and only the outer wall and its minaret remain.

You would also visit the Al-Askareyya Shrine which embraces the tombs of the 10th & 11th Imams, Ali Al-Hadi who died in 868 AD and his son Hassan Al-Askari who died in 874 AD and was buried next to hisfather. It is a sort of memorial also to the 12th Imam, about whom a superstition lingers that he will returnas the Mahdi to establish peace on earth.The Shrine has a golden dome that dazzles the eye. With a





circumference of 68 m wide and more than 72,000 golden pieces, it is one of the biggest domes in theIslamic world. Each one of its two golden minarets is 36 m high. Looking in at the main gate you see awonderfully light facade of uncluttered white and blue and turquoise patterns, and the dome, golden-scaled, grows out of it like a tree. The minaret is gold all the way up, and there is also a gold-paintedclock tower. The courtyard is wide and its white walls are framed with small sea-blue tiles. The wholeeffect of this mosque is unfussy and fresh. And even outside it there is as yet hardly anything to confusethe eye.

Last stop before driving on to Baghdad, will the Caliph's Residence - built by Caliph Al Mutasim in 835AD, it overlooks the Tigiris river and has a façade of 700 meters. Now, the only remains are a group of 3ewans (arched facades), the central one measuring 17.5x8 meter with a height of 12 meters. Theseewans were called Bab Al-'Amma (The Commoners Gate): the Caliph would sit there to hear the people'scomplaints and suggestions, as Muslim Caliphs always took personal interest in their citizens' affairs.

Continue on to the airport well in time to check-in and board the flight for Cairo.

Meeting on arrival by Egyptair staff, who will provide the Transfer to the hotel, where you will relax beforebeing picked up again for the Transfer back to the airport for your onward flight back to Toronto. B L D

Day 13 - 19 November: Depart Cairo MS 995 at 12:30 am Arrive Toronto at 06:50 amIn time, you will be picked up for transfer to the Najaf Airport where you will board the flight to Mashad.Meeting on arrival & transfer to the hotel. Check in & relax for a while, before proceeding for Ziyarat.

** End of Services ***





What is included :

Inclusions : International Airfare Transfers to / from Hotels / Airport and Ziyarats by private vehicle Services of a Journeys Rep for assistance on all Arrival / Departure Transfers Porterage at Airport / Hotels Accommodation for a total of 9 nights in the selected Hotels Meals as per itinerary ( =Breakfast, =Lunch & =Dinner)B L D Services of English speaking local Guide (Alhaj Khursheed Abedi) for all Ziyarats & Tours as

per Itinerary* Services of an English speaking Escort Entrance Fees at the Monuments / Shrines, if any Support documentation for Iraqi Visa Application All Government Taxes & Service Fees, wherever applicable 24 / 7 Emergency Contact Bottled Water during Tours / Drives

Excludes : Visa Fee for Iraq Airport Tax payable on final departure, if any Camera / Video Fees, wherever applicable, at the Monuments Items of personal nature i.e. Room Service, Laundry, Telephone Calls, Internet, Fax,

Beverages, Medical or Evacuation Expenses, Insurance, Gratuities & Tips Any Meals not specifically listed in the itinerary Any optional Programs / Services Any items not specified under Inclusions

* Departures with minimum 30 people. Seat in Coach. There may be other participants and group size may vary.Participants may come from all over the world and most of them will be English speaking.





Where you will stay :

City Nights Superior *** First Class **** Deluxe*****

Najaf 3 T B A T B A N AKarbala 6 T B A T B A N A

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The Journeys of Faith has carefully selected each hotel based on overall quality, location, price, food,service, and cleanliness. All rooms are standard rooms with two beds and private facilities, unless youhave specifically requested and paid for an upgrade. Room selection is strictly at the discretion of thehotel management. We reserve the right to make hotel substitutions with those of equal standard in caseof non-availability of the selected hotel.

Check-in time is usually 4:00 pm or later. Check-out time is 12:00 noon. If you will be arriving early in theday or departing in the evening, hotels will usually allow you to store your luggage in their luggage room.We will ask at the front desk on your behalf, if the hotel can check you in earlier, or let you stay later.





And last but not least :

Departure :November 07, 2013 (Minimum 30)

Prices :We offer several accommodation choices for this tour. The price varies by selected accommodations. Theitinerary remains unchanged.

Exchange rates fluctuate on a daily basis. Please contact us for current pricing and we will respond within24 hours. Rates are in USD.

Price - Per Person Superior *** First Class **** Deluxe*****

Occupancy - Double On Request On Request - N A -Single On Request On Request - N A -Triple On Request On Request - N A -

Airfare - International On Request On Request - N A -

Miscellenous T B A T B A - N A -

Some important notes Flights are subject to constant modifications / delays and cancellations. In such cases, we will do all

possible to find the best available alternative / solution but will not accept any liability, whatsoever. Our rates only include those items which are specified in the Itinerary / Inclusions. The cost has been calculated on the existing tariffs / conditions and in case of any currency fluctuations or

amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to revise the tour priceaccordingly.

Our quotations are calculated on base category of accommodation at each property and are subject tomodification, if the same hotel / category of room not available at the time of reservation. In that case, we willconfirm a superior category of room at a comparable or better hotel and supplement charges, if any, shall beadvised accordingly. Final Itinerary will illustrate updated information and / or it would be furnished at thetime of confirmation.

Room availability is getting saturated due to heavy demands from the tourism industry, international Fairsand Congresses. Due to these constant sold-out situations the hotels are applying the cancellation rulesmore stringently. Once the reservation is guaranteed, the booking will be subject to full cancellation chargesas per our Terms & Conditions (details will be advised at the time of deposit). We strongly recommendobtaining Insurance to protect yourself against any unforeseen scenarios.

Additional services including Optionals, if any, can be paid directly to our local offices.



Karbala Pilgrimage-Ashura Escortedby Janab Khursheed Abedi

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