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Ayatollah Mohammed Baqr al-Hakim, the leader of Iraq's best known opposition group, has returned home after 23 years

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Thousands of people followed the Ayatollah as he crossed from Iran into Iraq... even though the area is mined

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The crowds waited patiently to see him ...

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.. and gave him a tumultuous welcome when he arrived

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Enthusiastic followers pressed forward to hear his words

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Many Shias consider him their most important leader