Karbala

Karbalā' ({{lang-ar|كربلاء}}; also transliterated as Kerbala or Kerbela) is a city in Iraq, located about 100 km southwest of Baghdad at 32.61°N, 44.08°E. The name Karbala is derived from the word 'Karb' means sorrow, and 'Balā' means disaster. In the time of Husain's life, the place was also known as Al-Ghadiriyah, Nainawa, and Syathi'ul-Furat. The estimated population in 2003 was 572,300 people. It is the capital of Al Karbala Province. Shi'a Muslims consider it to be one of the holiest places in the world, after Mecca, Medina, and Najaf.

See also

• List of places in Iraq
• List of Holy Cities