Iraq cancels Friday prayers in Shiite holy city of Kerbala over coronavirus fears

Visitors walk in an archway of the Imam Ali shrine, in the holy Iraqi central city of Najaf where the first case of novel coronavirus infection in the country was confirmed, on March 10, 2020. (AFP)

• Prayers had already been canceled last Friday

KERBALA: Iraq canceled Friday prayers in the Shiite holy city of Kerbala due to concerns about the coronavirus, a statement from the administration of the city’s holy site said on Wednesday.

Kerbala, like the neighboring holy city of Najaf, attracts Shiites pilgrims from Iraq and abroad. Prayers had already been canceled last Friday.