Thousands of Shiite pilgrims commemorate death of reversed saint

Shiite pilgrims gather at the Imam Moussa al-Kadhim shrine during the preparations for the annual commemoration of the saint's death in the Shiite district of Kazimiyah, in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 3, 2013. (Photo : AP Photo/ Hadi Mizban)

Tens of thousands of Shiite pilgrims are converging on a golden-domed Shiite shrine in northern Baghdad to commemorate the death of a revered Shiite Muslim saint. Security is tight after a wave of deadly attacks.

Interior Ministry spokesman Lt. Col. Saad Maan Ibrahim said Tuesday that several thousand policemen and soldiers were deployed in Baghdad to secure the processions. Pilgrims have to undergo several searches before reaching the gates of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim shrine.

Shiite pilgrims pray at the Imam Moussa al-Kadhim shrine at Kazimiyah district of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims converged Tuesday on a golden-domed shrine in northern Baghdad to commemorate the death of a revered eighth century saint as troops tightened security after a wave of deadly attacks across Iraq. (Photo : AP Photo/ Karim Kadim)

Many of the main streets in the capital have been closed in recent days to prevent attacks on the walking pilgrims. No significant attacks have been reported, Ibrahim said.

A series of bloody sectarian attacks made April and May the deadliest months in years. <AP/NEWSis>