Updated 21 March 2012

At least 45 people have been killed in a series of co-ordinated attacks across Iraq.

Between 7:00am – 9:00am on Tuesday 20 March 2012, two car bombs which were detonated in a crowded shopping and restaurant area in the predominantly Shia city of Kerbala killed at least 13 people.  Another car bomb near police headquarters in the northern city of Kirkuk killed another 13 people, most of them officers, police said. Over 230 others have been injured in the explosions

This incident was the deadliest in Iraq in nearly a month.  The attacks come ahead of next week's Arab League summit to be held in the capital, Baghdad.

In central Baghdad, a car bomb near the provincial council building killed four and injured 11. Elsewhere in the central town of Hilla, a car bomb explosion claimed the lives of two people and wounded 31 others.

Explosions also took place in  Baiji, Samarra, Tuz Khurmato, Daquq and Dhuluiya, all north of Baghdad, Ramadi in the west, and Latifiya and Mahmudiya in the south.

The World Federation continues to pray for peace and unity in Iraq and all over the world.  We pray for the safety of those living in Iraq and pray for the safe return for all those performing ziyarat. We continue to pray for the end of violence amongst all people.