Karbala
![Karbala Karbala](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130214132014im_/http://photos.state.gov/libraries/iraq/788/prt/GST-13_56058_Karbala-200.jpg)
Karbala
Karbala is the location of the Tomb of Hussain ibn ‘Ali, grandson of the prophet Mohammad. The tomb is a major Shi’a pilgrimage site, particularly during the commemoration of Ashura. This has made Karbala one of the holiest cities in Shi’a Islam after Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem and Najaf. As such, religious tourism, particularly from Iran, is the major economic driver of the province. As of 2003, the province had a population of approximately 570,000 people.
PRT Karbala supports a wide range of activities focused around four main goals: developing a transparent and accountable provincial government; creating economic opportunity and social development; assisting the Provincial Council to improve its delivery of basic services; and enhancing respect for the rule of law and human rights. The PRT assists in the development of a provincial government that is able to improve the lives of local citizens through efficient and transparent governance, which in turn will provide the foundation for economic growth and prosperity within the province.
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Summary of the Al-Beitar Vocational School Laboratory Project
The Al-Beitar Vocational School Laboratory Project will strengthen agricultural education in Karbala Province and facilitate the introduction of innovative farming techniques to Karbala’s farmers
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PRT and Karbala Agricultural Officials Promote New Grazing & Forage Management Techniques To Improve Local Agricultural Performance
Reviewing opportunities to stimulate growth in Karbala's agricultural sector, PRT Agricultural Advisor Dr. David Nisbet and Karbala provincial agricultural officials examined possibilities to apply more advanced production techniques at Karbala's Agricultural Extension sheep research farm.
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Beekeeping Class and Other Initiatives Create Economic Independence for Locals
Members of the U.S. State Department's Karbala Provincial Reconstruction Team and their military partners attended the beekeeping course graduation. "Our [Karbala PRT] mission is to assist the Iraqis with capacity building," said Sgt. Fatimah Muhammad, from Chicago, Ill., the rule-of-law non-commissioned officer in charge.
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Grand Opening of Karbala Business Development Center
The Karbala Chapter of the Businessmen's Union and the Karbala PRT celebrated the Grand Opening of the Karbala Business Development Center.
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PRT Karbala Hosts Iftar
The Karbala PRT hosted an iftar dinner at a downtown restaurant in Karbala on September 2 for over 110 guests.
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Husayniyah Youth Center Made Better with Donations of Equipment from PRT
The U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Karbala on July 22, 2009 presented the Husayniyah Youth Center.