Karbala witnessed great events which left their mark on Islamic history - mainly the tragic Battle of Tuff, in which were martyred Imam Hussein bin Ali and his brother Abbas together with many others, who are buried in their two great shrines in the city. The shrine of Imam al-Hussein is topped by a dome and two golden minarets and also includes the tomb of Imam al-Hussein who was killed in 684 AD, together with members of his family at the hand of the Umayyads. Imam al-Hussein Shrine is Iraq's second-holiest site for Shi'ite Muslims. Between 7 to 8 million Shiite perform al- Haj rituals to Karbala every year to commemorate the anniversary of Imam al-Hussein assassination, and his brother Imam al-Abbas, who was also killed in the same battle.

On 02 March 2004 at least 50 people were killed and hundreds wounded in Karbala, a Shi'a holy city. In Baghdad, around 75 people were killed and 200 more were wounded. The explosions -- in cities about 100 kilometers apart -- occurred almost simultaneously, leading to the conclusion that they were part of a coordinated attack. No one has claimed responsibility. In Karbala, five blasts went off shortly after 10 am near one of the most important holy places in Shi'a Islam -- the shrine to Abbas, a grandson of the prophet Muhammad. The explosions sent the crowds into panic. Dead bodies were piled in the street as the wounded were taken away to hospitals.

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