Religious tourists boost Iraqi economy - 11-Dec-07

Reports of improved security in Iraq have led millions of religious tourists, many from neighbouring Iran, to travel to Iraq's holy city of Karbala for prayers and blessings.

Al Jazeera's John Cookson reports from Karbala, where the tourist trade is generating an estimated three billion dollars a year for Iraq's economy.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• aljazeera
• John
• Cookson
• Karbala
• tourism
• Iraq
• Shia
• Muslim
• shrine
• pilgrimage
• pilgrim

[brick4sale]

Yeesh I don't think all Shias believe this is a gateway to heaven. They simply wish to pay their respects, and gain spiritual guidance, through prayer and the pilgrimage itself.

[twelversessence]

alhamdulillah! very beautiful place!

salam& peace to all shia muslims!

[tweezwanen]

The U.S. government is spending too much of the U.S. tax dollars in Iraq. The Iraqi government has billions of dollars and they are not spending. They also have oil. It's time the Iraqis stand up on their own two feet, and pay their way now. If they need help with security, then they should pay for it with their own money. It's not fair that the Americans suffer for their problems. Saddam Hussein is long gone. Time for the Iraqis to use their new found freedom to become independent of the U.S.

[ChemicalSally]

well if thats what it takes to improve their economy then so be it

[Ayeere]

Nice video, but i could have just read the description and have saved some time.

[seanpb4068]

it's  National Lampoon's Iraqi Vacation!

[brick4sale]

What do you mean by that statement?

[bmoreg]

How is this greatly different from Christianity?

[MustafaPresents]

A grave is a gateway to heaven? What religion is that!