Each year thousands of Shiites from Iran and other countries travel to Najaf to mark the martyrdom of Imam Ali (PBUH) on 21st of Ramadan (the 9th month in the lunar Hijri calendar).
The shrine of Imam Ali (PBUH), Shiites' first holy imam, is located in the holy city of Najaf, 160 kilometers south of Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
The city is now a great center of pilgrimage from around the Shiite Islamic world.
