KARBALA, Iraq — Ali Jaafar was all set to cross around 125 kilometers (78 miles) from his residence in al-Diwaniya city, south of Baghdad, to the holy city of Karbala on the holy day of Arbaeen to commemorate the death of Shiite Imam Hussein Bin Ali.

Imam Hussein was buried in Karbala after his murder in 685 A.D. by Yazid ibn Mouawiya’s army in the Battle of Karbala. Shiite Muslims from around the world perform a yearly pilgrimage on foot, weep at his grave and vow to defend his principles on Arbaeen. Thousands of people, including men, women, children and even handicapped people, participate in the annual event that has been celebrated since 2003. Before then, the pilgrimage was forbidden by Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Jaafar, like thousands of others, has gotten used to performing this annual pilgrimage. But, this year, the march will be easier, as a new road, dubbed “Ya Hussein,” has been constructed and designated for the Shiite pilgrims visiting the holy city.

Engineer Abu Haidar al-Mousawi, who worked on the road, told Al-Monitor, “The new road is destined for visitors crossing long distances on foot. It is not paved, but it is well leveled and covered with sand, adjacent to the main road that cars take.”