Alghadeer TV Alghadeer TV
Millions of pilgrims have gathered in Iraq’s holy city of Karbala to commemorate Arba’een, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein, the third Shia Imam.
Among the pilgrims, which usually number 20 million from around the world every year, many arrive in Karbala after trekking about 70 kilometers northward from the holy city of Najaf in a symbolic gesture honoring Imam Hussein.
Pilgrims enter the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala up to two weeks before Arba’een. This year’s Arba’een falls on Saturday, October 19.
Speaking on Thursday, Iran’s Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said a total of 3.5 million Iranians had entered Iraq to take part in the ceremony, 1.2 million more than the number reported last year and topping previous participation records.
Fazli praised what he described as “good cooperation” on behalf of Iraqi officials in facilitating the process.
Foreign pilgrims from other countries also participate in the event, with tens of thousands entering Iraq notably from countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Lebanon.
The pilgrims are greeted by the generous hospitality of the Iraqi people, who provide them with food, water, transport and accommodation needed for the journey.
The Love & Sprit to serve Pilgrims of #Arbaeen for free in Iraqis is really some thing U will never saw on earth other than #ArbaeenWalk pic.twitter.com/7Oys1uzL07
— Syeda Sakeena?? (@awaited_hope) October 17, 2019
Imam Hussein was martyred along with dozens of his companions during a last-stand battle against the tyrant of the time, Yazid I, more than thirteen centuries ago.
The martyrdom of Imam Hussein has turned into a symbol of righteous revolt and social and political reform.
Imam Hussein is a highly-venerated figure not only among Shia Muslims but also among Sunnis and people of other faiths.
Protestants and Catholics paying their tribute during Arbaeen at Karbala.
Do not forget Wahab bin Qalbi one of the Martyrs of Karbala, a Christian who turned Muslim and fought for Imam Hussain (as) and died. He had got married 2 weeks before Ashura.#HussainIsForHumanity pic.twitter.com/Hm75gZEBWJ— ? جعفر امام? (@SYEDJAFFER_IMAM) September 22, 2019
Many observers have highlighted that despite Arba’een being the world’s largest annual peaceful gathering on earth, there has been substantially little attention from mainstream media to the major ceremony.
