[an error occurred while processing this directive] BBC News
watch One-Minute World News Last Updated: Saturday, 9 September
2006, 15:14 GMT 16:14 UK In pictures: Karbala festival  Iraqi
pilgrims spray foam as they arrive in Karbala  Hundreds of
thousands of Shia Muslims descended on the holy Iraqi city of
Karbala for a religious festival.  Pilgrims gather outside a
mosque in Karbala before dawn  Pilgrims were marking the
birthday of the 9th century Imam Mahdi, one of the main Imams of
Shia Islam.  Pilgrims light candles at the Imam Mahdi shrine in
Karbala  The event is meant to be one of celebration.  Shia
Muslims pray inside the Imam Abbas Shrine in Karbala  But such
festivals have been targeted by Sunni insurgents in the past.
The threat of an attack loomed large.  Iraqi army soldiers
patrol Karbala  Security was tight with thousands of Iraqi
police and soldiers deployed across the city.  Iraqi soldiers
frisk pilgrims entering a mosque in Karbala  Vehicles were
banned from the city centre as soldiers monit