AP PHOTOS: Millions of Muslims embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca
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ITV News
3 days ago
- ITV News
Extreme heat as pilgrims commemorate Arbaeen - the world's largest annual peaceful gathering
By ITV News Producer Zahra Manji Every year, millions of Shia Muslims - alongside some of other faiths from around the globe - make the journey to Iraq to participate in what makes up the world's largest annual peaceful gathering, known as Arbaeen. The number of pilgrims has been steadily rising to at least 22 million. In comparison, almost 2 million pilgrims participated in the Hajj to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This year, temperatures have reached extreme heights topping 50C, with pilgrims being cooled down with sprayed water during their walk to Karbala before they visiting the holy shrines. Why do people commemorate Arbaeen? Literally meaning '40' in Arabic, the Day of Arbaeen marks 40 days after the Day of Ashura, the day Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammed, and his family were martyred in what is now the city of Karbala, Iraq. Hussain and his family refused to submit to the oppressive regime at the time. Pilgrims believe Hussain's message to be a timeless one and just as those who lived in the seventh century were inspired by their stand, so are the millions today who pay homage to Hussain and mourn his death. It is a spiritual experience for pilgrims, and is made even more special by the connections they form with the city's hosts as Iraqi locals open their homes and hearts to visitors. The ancient city of Karbala transforms during the period, with friends, families and elders alike united under red, green and black banners, while dressed in 'mourning' black. What takes place during the pilgrimage? A walk of 80km takes place from the city of Najaf to Karbala, where pilgrims of all ages, nationalities and physical abilities travel between the shrines of the Prophet's son in law Imam Ali and the Prophet's grandson Hussain. They often complete the walk tired and hungry but spiritually revived with the shared love for common humanity . It is believed that with every step one's sins are being erased. Along the route, local and international organisations set up stations known as mawkibs, laying out free water, food, sweet tea and shelter for those who need to rest, and Iraqi officials block off hundreds of miles of road to ensure the safety of those taking part. Every year, Arbaeen is marked with processions and religious services at Shia Muslim mosques across the world to remember the story of Prophet Muhammed's grandson, his family and his companions. Dr Ammar Nakshawani, director of the Prophet Muhammad Institute for Islamic Studies, has been to Iraq during Arbaeen for the last 16 years. He told ITV News: "It really is a spiritual journey and a wonderful atmosphere". Dr Nakshawani said Imam Hussain is "a descendant of Abraham and therefore resonates with many non-Muslims too". Professor in theology, Dr Chris Hewer, experienced his first Arbaeen in Karbala last year. "We had in these 25 million people not just Muslims, but Christians, Jews, Hindus and those of no faith at all". Why is so little know about Arbaeen? Only 10-15% of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims are Shia and therefore Arbaeen is not widely known. Professor in Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, Justin Jones, said "The Hajj is better known as it is obligatory on all Muslims, whereas Shia traditions are less well known because popular knowledge is shaped much more by Sunni Islam". He said the pilgrimage has been previously restricted, especially under Saddam Hussein's rule in Iraq when "the Arbaeen pilgrimage was banned". Dr Nakshawani adds: "Anyone who was seen going to Karbala during Saddam Hussain's brutal regime was executed. In a personal case, my own uncle. "So there was that breathing space that emerged in 2003, after the fall of the regime. Everyone could finally go back to Karbala".
The Sun
7 days ago
- The Sun
Who is Cristiano Ronaldo's fiancee Georgina Rodriguez? Model is soul-mate of Man Utd legend and mum to kids
GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ is enjoying life in Saudi Arabia following Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr. The family moved to the Gulf state at the end of 2022 after both Manchester United and CR7 agreed to end the striker's time at Old Trafford. 3 Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez have been together since 2016 Credit: Instagram @georginagio And the loved-up couple revealed in August 2025 that they are finally engaged! Who is Georgina Rodriguez? Georgina Rodriguez grew up in Jaca, a city in northeastern Spain and part of the province of Huesca, near the Pyrenees. She was born to a Spanish mum and an Argentinian dad. Georgina learned dance before changing careers to modelling after studying English in London. The Sun revealed that her father is a convicted cocaine trafficker named Jorge Rodriguez, who spent ten years in jail. The 29-year-old was first spotted on a string of dates with then-Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo towards the end of 2016. Georgina has claimed that her first meeting with the football star was "love at first sight." "Our first meeting was at Gucci, where I worked as a sales assistant," she recalled in an interview with The Sun . "Days later, we saw each other again at another brand's event. "It was then that we could talk in a relaxed atmosphere, outside my work environment. It was love at first sight for both." News of her relationship with the footballer began to emerge in November 2016 when they were snapped walking around Disneyland Paris arm-in-arm and publicly showing their affection for one another. And despite putting on a disguise, the Italian magazine Chi was able to identify Ronaldo as he cuddled up to his new love interest. Georgina gave birth to baby daughter Alana Martina on November 12, 2017, with Ronaldo posting a picture on Instagram, writing: "Alana Martina is just born! Both Geo and Alana are doing great! We are all very happy!'" And just over two years later, the pair were forced to deny rumours that they had got hitched in a low-key ceremony in Morocco. 3 Cristiano Ronaldo previously shared a cosy family picture of him cuddling three of his children with Georgina Rodriguez Credit: Instagram How did Georgina Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo meet? Before meeting Ronaldo, Georgina worked at a Gucci store in the Spanish capital of Madrid. It's believed the Spanish beauty caught the eye of Cristiano Ronaldo in the VIP area of a Dolce & Gabbana event. How long have Georgina Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo been dating? The couple appeared to start dating a few months after Ronaldo was caught cuddling up to fitness model Cassandre Davis in August 2016. And, while it's difficult to know exactly how long Ronaldo and Georgina have been together, their first public date was in mid-November 2016. After years together, the pair revealed that they got engaged on August 11, 2025. Gerorgina posted a picture on Instagram of her wearing a beautiful ring with the caption of the post read: "Yes I do. In this and in all my lives." 3 @georginagio/Instagram How many children does Cristiano Ronaldo have? Ronaldo shares two children with girlfriend Georgina and has a brood of five in total. The Manchester United stars eldest is 12-year-old son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr - who has already starred for his father's club at youth level. In June 2017, Ronaldo then welcomed twins – Eva and Mateo – into the world after a surrogate mother allegedly gave birth to them in the United States. A month later, Ronaldo confirmed in an interview that he and Georgina Rodriguez were expecting their first baby together. When asked by Spanish news outlet El Mundo whether the player was 'happy' to have another child on the way, he replied: 'Yes, very much.' Georgina gave birth to baby daughter Alana Martina on November 12, 2017. Four years, later Cristiano and Georgina announced they were expecting twins. But tragically, after Georgina gave birth in April 2022, the pair announced that their baby boy had passed away as they paid tribute online. Ronaldo wrote on social media: "It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away. "It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel. "Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness. "We would like to thank the doctors and nurses for all their expert care and support. "We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time. "Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you." The couple have since named their baby daughter Bella Esmeralda.
Telegraph
09-08-2025
- Telegraph
There's far more to Santiago than the Camino – and it's now easier than ever to visit
Boots, walking poles, and more than a couple of blisters. This may be the uniform of many a visitor arriving in Santiago de Compostela – the endpoint of storied ancient pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago – but the city isn't just the final stop in a long journey: it's reason enough to make a trip. With a flight time of just over two hours from London, the Galician capital stands as a viable offbeat alternative to a weekend city break in popular Spanish spots like Madrid and Barcelona. What's more, it's now easier to trade your hiking rucksack for a boarding pass, since Spanish carrier Vueling launched daily flights from Heathrow to Santiago de Compostela in the spring. A mere 15 minutes after leaving the airport, you'll find yourself in the city's labyrinthine old town: a UNESCO World Heritage site, packed with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings, and crowned by the majestic Santiago Cathedral. With the adjoining vast Praza do Obradoiro inevitably full of exhausted yet joyful groups of pilgrims – a profoundly charming thing to witness in itself – the cathedral, too, mirrors the city's architectural variety. It began as a Romanesque structure in the 11th century before gaining Gothic touches in the 13th and 14th centuries, and was later adorned with dramatic Baroque flourishes in the 17th and 18th. Inside the cathedral, don't miss the extraordinary Pórtico de la Gloria, the Romanesque western entry carved in the 12th century by Master Mateo, whose breathtaking ensemble of biblical figures depict scenes from the Old Testament to the Last Judgement. Equally unforgettable is the Botafumeiro, the cathedral's enormous silver incense burner. Suspended from the ceiling of the transept, it swings in dramatic arcs during special services – a centuries-old ritual that was originally designed to mask the smell of the crowds arriving after long pilgrimages. Wander north east, and you'll reach the Monastery of San Martiño Pinario, one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe. Now functioning as a cemetery, the former grand Benedictine monastery has a church and museum that are open to visitors. Slightly less serene, but no less inviting, the narrow lanes of the old town – including the ever-bustling Rúa do Franco – buzz with life. Their stone arcades are lined with tapas bars offering chilled Albariño wine (or perhaps you'd rather a queimada, a punch traditionally set alight and subject to a ritual to ward off evil spirits) and polbo á feira, Galicia's most iconic dish: tender octopus, boiled and sliced, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with coarse salt and smoky paprika. Though there are dozens to discover (and stumbling across a well-kept secret is often the best way to find a dinner spot), some of the best tapas joints, serving up pimientos de Padrón (Padrón peppers), queso de tetilla (a local cheese famed for its conical shape) and empanada gallega (a savoury pie stuffed with seasonal fillings), include El Papatorio, Restaurante O Piorno, and Antollos pinchos e viños. If you're looking for a taste of everyday life, or perhaps to try your hand at a little Galician cooking yourself, just a short stroll from the cathedral lies one of Santiago de Compostela's most vibrant foodie experiences: the Mercado de Abastos. This bustling market has been the city's culinary heart since 1873, and remains the second most visited spot after the cathedral itself. Here, Galicia's rich bounty is proudly on display. Stalls overflow with glistening seafood hauled straight from the sea – razor clams, spider crabs, and the ever-present polbo (octopus) – and bunches of grelos (Galician turnip greens), and dense loaves of pan de broa (cornbread) tempt passing shoppers. To end on a sweet note, savour a slice of tarta de Santiago almond cake from Confeitaría Caylo or churros at Churraría San Pedro, perhaps taken away to be enjoyed in the grand, leafy Parque da Alameda: both an urban escape and home to some of the best views over the cathedral spires. After savouring the vibrant flavours of the city, a visit to some of its museums offers a perfect cultural complement. The Museo do Pobo Galego (Museum of the Galician People) provides a fascinating insight into Galicia's rich traditions, from folk art to rural life, housed in a beautiful former convent. Right next door, the nearby Galician Centre of Contemporary Art showcases cutting-edge works by both local and international artists, reflecting Galicia's dynamic creative spirit. Perhaps the most visually arresting emblem of Santiago de Compostela's refusal to be merely a relic of religious history, though, is the Cidade da Cultura de Galicia (City of Culture of Galicia). This cultural complex crests a nearby hill and draws inspiration from the historical city and its scallop shell symbol, yet is striking for its sculptural, amorphous architecture, designed by the renowned architect Peter Eisenman. Although the full site was never realised, in part due to budget issues, it is nonetheless worthy of a detour: a wander around the site and a visit to the Gaiás Centre Museum – famed not least for its spectacular facade – underscores the depth and diversity of Santiago's cultural offering beyond its famous cathedral. Exploring – even on a short city break, rather than a lengthy pilgrimage – can be tiring work. And while the Camino may conjure images of bunk beds and hostels, the city's monasteries and convents turned boutique hotels offer a perfect blend of elegance and authenticity. Who says you have to walk 500 miles to deserve a beautiful place to rest your head? Essentials Vueling flies from London Heathrow to Santiago de Compostela from £70 return) and Hotel Monumento San Francisco has doubles from £90 per night, room only.
