Karbala', city in central Iraq, capital of Karbala' Province, on the edge of the Syrian Desert. It is connected to the Hindiyah branch of the Euphrates River by canal. The chief industries include the manufacture of religious goods, textiles, shoes, and cement and food processing. Karbala', one of the holiest Islamic cities, is the center of pilgrimage for the Shiites, one of the Muslim sects. In the center of the city is the shrine of Husayn ibn Ali, a Muslim martyr. In March 1991 Karbala' was the site of a battle between Shiite Muslim rebels and Republican Guard units loyal to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. At the end of two weeks of fierce fighting, the rebels were defeated and much of the city was destroyed. Population (1987) 296,705.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Karbala Information info
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