Arbaeen pilgrimage brings millions to Iraqi city of Karbala

Shia pilgrims arrive in the holy city of Karbala on Friday to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn.

Shiite pilgrims walk to then city of Karbala, Iraq, to mark the holiday of Arbaeen, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022

Irfan Ali Gangjee is one of the millions of Shia Muslims who have travelled on foot for days to reach the holy city of Karbala in Iraq to participate in Arbaeen  – one of the largest annual religious events in the world.

The Pakistani citizen, who lives in the United States, started his journey on Monday in Najaf – 180 kilometres (111 miles) south of the capital city of Baghdad – walking nearly 80km (50 miles) to reach Karbala on Thursday, the site of al-Husayn’s shrine and resting place.

Keep reading

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Arbaeen itself will begin on Friday evening and end on Saturday evening.

INTERACTIVE_WALK OF ARBAEEN_September 2022

“The experience was surreal 
 there are oceans and oceans of people here. People on crutches and wheelchairs were walking with us 
 women and children too,” the 35-year-old Gangjee, on his first Arbaeen in Iraq, told Al Jazeera.

The occasion is observed 40-days after Ashura – the commemoration of the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Husayn, in the Battle of Karbala, which took place in 680 AD on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

Shia Muslim pilgrims walk to the holy city of Kerbala

Husayn and his small party were vastly outnumbered, and killed after a short battle against the forces of the Umayyad Caliph Yazid I.

The event is regarded as one of the foundational moments of Shia Islam.

In 2019, it was estimated that the annual pilgrimage had brought together more than 14 million people from across the world, including Iran, Lebanon, Indonesia and the US.

The journey can be strenuous.

Sara Mushtaq, a 35-year-old woman from Karachi, Pakistan, said at one point during the walk that her “feet just wouldn’t move” and described briefly collapsing on the side of the road.

“Physically it’s a pain I have never felt before, but spiritually I have never felt more alive,” Mushtaq, a henna tattoo artist, told Al Jazeera.

The journey is especially challenging during daytime, when temperatures range between 36 and 41 degrees Celsius. Together with packed crowds, reports of people fainting due to exhaustion or feeling dehydrated are not uncommon.

An aerial view shows the shrines of Imam al-Abbas ahead of the holy Shi'ite ritual of Arbaeen in Kerbala

To facilitate zaireen (pilgrims), local volunteers, as well as foreigners, setup mawakeb (rest areas), makeshift stalls and clinics all along the roads to provide essentials such as food, water and beds.

“This one mawakeb I stayed overnight had served some 1,000 people a day. And its all for free 
 they don’t ask for anything in return,” Gangjee, a finance professional, said. “It is hard to fathom the scale at which this gathering is taking place.”

‘Searching for inspiration’

According to Mehdi Hazari – a Shia religious scholar and the head of education and research at the Imam Mahdi Association of the Marjaeya (IMAM) in the United States –  a major reason for the non-obligatory pilgrimage is “searching for “inspiration in this world for which Imam Husayn died for”.

“In this world where there is so much noise 
 things are happening everywhere. Today we can hear about one event in one part of the world to the next with the press of a button our phone. It creates a blindness of sort 
 we have become complacent,” he said from North Carolina.

“So the walk 
 is where a person can find their heart awakened 
 meaning there is this sense overwhelming sense of giving, of sharing without asking for anything in return that creates this humanity, a type of brotherly and sisterly love.”

Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims rest during walk to the holy city of Kerbala,

Echoing Hazari’s sentiments, Mushtaq said that the trip had completely broken her down “physically, mentally and spiritually” and that she now had the chance to rebuild herself.

“What I hope to gain is to take this feeling with me back to reality. Here people see the best version of you. When you go home, this feeling will last a week, a month maybe?” she said.

“I want to incorporate this experience into my daily life 
 and teach my kids what it really means to be a lover of Husayn.”

Pandemic, political instability

This year is the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020 that Arbaeen will take place without restrictions or a cap on foreign travellers.

Last year, Iraqi authorities limited the number of foreign travellers to 40,000 people, with 30,000 allowed from Iran.

There has, however, been political instability to worry about this year.

Tensions between Shia political forces led to an outbreak of violence on the streets of Baghdad at the end of August, leaving more than 30 people dead.

An Iraqi volunteer pours water for Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims

Some countries began urging their citizens not to travel to Iraq as a consequence.

However, for Gangjee, nothing was going to stop him.

“Sometimes you just have a calling. In the first 10 days of Muharram this year I made the decision to go 
 I spoke to my wife and booked my trip immediately,” Gangjee said.

“It never occurred to me after that to cancel my flight. The only way I would not go is if they didn’t allow me in.”

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The shrines of Imam Husayn and his brother Aba Fadl Abbas in Karbala, Iraq, 2022.

'I can get close to God': Millions from around the globe participate in religious Arbaeen walk in Iraq

The walk culminates in the city of Karbala to remember the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Husayn.

  • By Sara Hassan

The shrines of Imam Husayn and his brother Aba Fadl Abbas in Karbala, Iraq, 2022.

Sara Hassan/The World

Kaneez Fatima Alvi and Lissith Diaz from Colombia are among the millions of people who have made the journey to Iraq this year to take part in the annual Arbaeen walk .

It’s one of the world’s largest-annual religious gatherings. This year, officials predict around 28 million people are expected to participate.

“I hope, first I can do it because this is really different,” Alvi said. “The heat, the culture.”

The heat is a major factor when Arbaeen falls in the summer. Temperatures can reach up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, so many people choose to do the walk at night.

People mark Arbaeen in Karbala, Iraq, Sept. 6, 2023.

People mark Arbaeen in Karbala, Iraq, Sept. 6, 2023.

Anmar Khalil/AP

“You feel something really different in your heart, in your mind, like all your body, like experience and different energy,” said Alvi, who became Muslim about a decade ago, and has been to Iraq once before.

This, however, is her first time doing the walk.

Diaz, who converted last year, added, “I feel that being here I can understand better. I can get close to God.”

Both women are wearing black, like everyone else on the walk — the color of mourning — to mark the somber event. Arbaeen, which means 40 in Arabic, marks the 40th day of mourning after Ashura, the day that Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Husayn, was killed in the year 680 by an army of the ruling Umayyad caliphate.

People on the Arbaeen walk on the road between the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, September 2023.

People on the Arbaeen walk on the road between the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, September 2023.

Today, the walk can start from anywhere. But most people begin in the city of Najaf until they get to Karbala — nearly 50 miles away — where Husayn is buried.

Sayed Mohammed Baqer Qazwini currently lives in Najaf, Iraq, and is an assistant imam in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

Sayed Mohammed Baqer Qazwini currently lives in Najaf, Iraq, and is an assistant imam in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

Story of justice and sacrifice

“The Arbaeen walk is not an obligation on Muslims, like the pilgrimage to Mecca [for the annual Hajj pilgrimage] is,” Sayed Mohammed Baqer Qazwini explained.

He’s living in Najaf right now, but is an assistant imam in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

“However, the prophet's family highly recommended Muslims to visit Imam Husayn in Karbala after his martyrdom. They wanted to preserve his legacy because Imam Husayn represents justice, freedom. He rose to say no to the dictator of his time. He rose to say no to injustice.”

It’s this story of justice and sacrifice that inspires many people during Arbaeen. The walk was even banned during the time of Saddam Hussein, because people would use the occasion to assemble and challenge his government.

Numbered markers on the road between Najaf and Karbala along the Arbaeen walk in Iraq.

Numbered markers on the road between Najaf and Karbala along the Arbaeen walk in Iraq.

In 2019, UNESCO declared the hospitality offered during Arbaeen an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

One group, Imamia Medics International , has been traveling to Iraq for 15 years to give free medical and dental services.

Qasim Jaffry is a consultant urologist and one of the group’s directors. He’s been based in Ireland for more than two decades. He said that their 24-hour camps are available for those on the walk, as well as for local Iraqis.

“Some of them would be sick from before, and they may have forgotten their medication or this Arbaeen visit may have exacerbated their diseases, and some of them get sick while they're here,” he said.

Jaffry said that since their first year, they’ve treated about 750,000 patients. Their services include cardiology, internal medicine, dermatology, gynecology, urology, pain management and dental services.

Local hospitality

Some local Iraqis even open up their homes to the visitors.

Shaykh Hassan al-Mas’udi is a local Iraqi tribe leader.

“Every year, I provide all of the services to welcome the pilgrims visiting Imam Husayn and provide hospitality in the form of food and drink, and also showers and bathrooms, and I also put out mattresses here for them to sleep on,” he said.

Local Iraqi tribe leader Shaykh Hassan al-Mas’udi opens his home to people on the Arbaeen walk to rest, shower and have home-cooked meals, September 2023.

Local Iraqi tribe leader Shaykh Hassan al-Mas’udi opens his home to people on the Arbaeen walk to rest, shower and have home-cooked meals, September 2023.

There are more than a thousand stations, or mawkibs, where people can rest.

Along the walk itself, everything is free. People set up and sponsor stalls along the walk that hand out water, meals and tea and provide various services.

People make food to serve for free to those on the Arbaeen walk in Iraq, September 2023.

People make food to serve for free to those on the Arbaeen walk in Iraq, September 2023.

One woman was even repairing people’s bags that had worn out during the walk.

There are also people offering free foot massages for those on the walk.

Zain Fatema Bhurani comes every year from India.

“Some people don't wear any shoes, and they are in so much pain,” she said. “So, we feel like they are getting some of the comfort and relief from our hands.”

They even have a physiotherapist on hand for more serious problems. Bhurani travels with other women. And they pay for their own flights to give free massages to people on the walk.

“Money never comes to our minds,” she added. “And the prayers which we get from the visitors is priceless.”

Women volunteers give free foot massages to those participating in the Arbaeen walk, September 2023.

Women volunteers give free foot massages to those participating in the Arbaeen walk, September 2023.

This year, the Iraqi government offered free visas for four new countries : Pakistan, Lebanon, Yemen and Afghanistan. It also includes Iran, but it’s not the first time for them.

The overwhelming majority of people who participate in the Arbaeen walk are Shia Muslims. But it is not limited to Shias or even Muslims. Some Sunnis participate and even Christians and Hindus have taken part.

People mark Arbaeen inside the shrine of Imam Husayn in Karbala, Iraq, Aug. 29, 2023.

People mark Arbaeen inside the shrine of Imam Husayn in Karbala, Iraq, Aug. 29, 2023.

Salil Abbas, who is part of a group that came from the UK, said he spoke with a group of Christians who walked last year. He asked them what they thought.

“And they said, ‘We've never seen people give things away the way that the lovers of this imam and this leader of yours are giving away. We have never seen selflessness of this kind anywhere. And it is an inspiration to see this.’”

That inspiration is what the people on the walk take back home with them afterward to continue serving others.

Related:  Iraqi author Ghaith Abdul-Ahad on the 'unbuilding' of Baghdad

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The Arbaeen Walk, A Journey of Spirituality

Erick Wilson

After more than 1400 years, the Day of Arbaeen is still remembered by millions of people all around the world, a day of unmatched sacrifice of Imam Hussain for social justice.

Every year during the Arbaeen march, millions of people from different countries, different races, different religions, and different languages come together in Iraq to honor Imam Hossein’s brave martyrdom in Iraq’s city of Karbala.

Arbaeen pilgrimage is widely known as the largest peaceful gathering in the world that is held every year. It is when people swarm together and walk towards the shrines of Imam Hossein to pay tribute to his greatest sacrifice. As the grandson of Prophet Mohammad and the son of Fatima and Imam Ali, Hossein (pbuh) left an everlasting legacy 14 centuries ago which is still inspiring all humans from different religions.

Imam Hossein devoted his life and the lives of his family members and his companions to stand against the tyranny of the time and protect a way of dissent and just life for all Muslims.

The Arbaeen walk is therefore not an ordinary journey. It is full of life-changing experiences and insights as according to the very people who have at least once taken the route to reach Karbala.

Most pilgrims who travel to Iraq from other countries to attend the Arbaeen walk start their journey from the city of Najaf, the burial place of Imam Ali, the first Imam of the Shia. The distance from Najaf to Karbala is about 80 km, mostly taken by foot. Pilgrims who want to be in Karbala on the Arbaeen Day should therefore start their journey from the 16th of Safar. Along the 80km stretch, volunteers distribute free food and drinks to those undertaking the pilgrimage, as well as offering places to relax, wash and sleep.

What makes the Arbaeen walk special after all these years is that in this human crowd marching towards Karbala there is no discrimination of rich or poor, young or old, men or women. They all believe in Imam Hussein as a universal, borderless, and meta-religious symbol of freedom and compassion, not for Muslims, but all humans in the world.

The origin of the Arbaeen walk

The origin of the Arbaeen walk towards the holy shrine of Imam Hossein, can very well be traced back to 61 Hijri, more than 1400 years ago when Iraqis arrived in the desert of Neynava in Karbala on the 20th of Safar and saw the graves of Imam Hossein, his family, and his companions on the plains of Karbala and held the first mourning for them.

Linguistically speaking, Arbaeen, in Arabic language, means forty and in Islamic history it marks the 40th day of mourning period following Ashura, the 10th of Muharram when Imam Hussain was brutally beheaded along with his family members and companions by the army of Yazid.

During the years when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was ruling in Iraq (1979-2003), the Arbaeen walk was banned by the government and people who were going to Karbala on foot sometimes faced violent reactions. However, and in spite of the government’s pressures, people secretly maintained this tradition.

After the fall of Saddam, the Iraqis started making pilgrimage freely on foot from all over the country to Karbala once again.

In the days before the day of Arbaeen, all the ways towards Karbala are packed with pilgrims from different countries moving towards this holy city. According to this year’s statistics from Iraqi officials, more than 20 million people from well over 80 countries have come to Karbala.

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Arbaeen: why do millions of Shiite pilgrims gather in Iraq every year?

The religious ritual is a commemoration of the killing of prophet mohammed's grandson during the 7th century battle at karbala.

Shiite Muslim pilgrims march from Iraq's capital Baghdad on their way to Karbala on Monday. AFP

Shiite Muslim pilgrims march from Iraq's capital Baghdad on their way to Karbala on Monday. AFP

Mina Aldroubi author image

Iraq is to host millions of Shiite pilgrims in the city of Karbala at the climax of a key religious ceremony — despite warnings of overcrowding in scorching hot weather.

The commemoration ceremony, known as Arbaeen , marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

The religious ritual draws pilgrims to visit the gold-domed shrine containing Imam Hussein.

This year, the pilgrimage is set to take place on September 16 and 17.

Imam Hussein was killed in battle at Karbala in the 7th century along with his family members and close aides. Those who survived were taken to Damascus, Syria and held captive.

It started when Imam Hussein protested against the second Umayyad caliph, Yazid bin Muawiyah, who was based in Damascus.

His death is considered as a defining moment for Shiite Muslims.

What is Arbaeen?

The Arbaeen pilgrimage is perhaps Iraq's most “symbolically potent event”, Marsin Alshamary, a research fellow at Harvard University's Middle East told The National .

“It attracts both the religious and the non-practising and is an act of community and gathering. Religiously, it is what defines Shiism and, for [Shiite] individuals all over the world, it is a cherished practice,” Ms Al Shammary said.

However, politically, it is a “representation of overcoming oppression and has been utilised as such by savvy politicians over the years”.

What happens during the pilgrimage?

The pilgrimage consists of a long walk from different areas inside and outside of Iraq.

“The whole thing started when people used to make the visit. First of all there was no cars. Those who owned a camel or horse or any other form of an animal would take that and those who [did not] would walk,” said Abbas Kadhim, director of the Atlantic Council's Iraq Initiative.

Walking allows pilgrims to feel the suffering of Imam Hussein's family, who walked from Damascus to Karbala, Mr Kadhim said.

“It is said the family of Imam Hussein, after they were released from captivity, visited the place and they walked there. People say I’m going to share with them that pain and experience,” he told The National .

Shiite Muslim pilgrims march to Karbala, from Iraq's southern province of Al Muthanna, on September 6, 2022. AFP

“In those days, life was dangerous, it was understood that the more hardship you go through, the more rewards you get.”

During the walk, pilgrims are met by volunteers who have set up tents along the roads to distribute free food and drinks and offer places for them to rest.

This shows the generosity of Iraqis, Mr Kadhim said.

Why have there been attempts to ban the pilgrimage?

During the reign of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, the pilgrimage was “heavily surveilled by the government”.

“In some years, it even tried to ban it as it brought a lot of trouble to participants,” Ms Al Shammary said.

The US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 ended Saddam's three-decade rule, during which he persecuted groups such as the Shiites and Kurds.

“After 2003, the first pilgrimage was a mass outpouring for people who had wanted to participate for years but were unable to,” she said.

Additionally, “Iraq was no longer a pariah state so foreigners could also come and participate”, she said, adding that the pilgrim numbers grew every year.

Why do so many people take part?

Arbaeen is known to be the biggest annual gathering of Shiite Muslims worldwide.

The most important development is the freedom that was given to people to exercise their religious rituals and to visit the shrines without any hindrance.

“Most of the history, in the past 1,400 years, Shiites have not been so free as compared to after 2003,” Mr Kadhim told The National .

“Various governments took different policies, some banned any manifestation to the family of the Prophet and, especially, Imam Hussein,” he said.

They faced harsh consequences such as death or prison sentences.

A policeman stands guard as Shiite Muslim pilgrims march from Iraq's capital Baghdad on their way to Karbala, ahead of the Arbaeen religious festival, on Monday, September 12, 2022. AFP

“In 1983 to 1984, Baath [the former ruling political party] archives tell us that close to 500,000 people participated and they faced dire consequences but they did it anyway,” he said.

The freedom that people enjoy now has encouraged Shiites to join the pilgrimage over the years and that is why we see huge numbers of participants, Mr Kadhim said.

The number of visitors has risen since 2014, which has been attributed to the easing of visa requirements for Iranians, especially as they make the largest number of foreigners.

It is known that Sunnis, Christians and other sects and religious minorities usually take part in the pilgrimage.

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Arbaeen: A spiritual journey toward an immortal love

Arbaeen: A spiritual journey toward an immortal love

The passage of centuries has never affected the eternal adoration for Imam Hussain (A.S) and his few companions. The month of Muharram, the beginning of the season of invocation to the martyrs who had fallen in the epic battle of Karbala, is one of the most significant events in the Shiite Muslim calendar. The 10-day period of grief culminates with the Day of Ashura. However, Arbaeen, which takes place a month after Ashoura, the world’s largest religious pilgrimage, is the apogĂ©e of the mourning period for the Prophet Muhammad’s [PBUH] beloved grandson, Imam Hussain. Indeed, the Arbaeen march is the perfect epitome of generosity, pure altruism, respect and benevolence. In this modern materialistic world, where everything is measured based on profit and loss, the Arbaeen pilgrimage creates a spiritual revolution through Imam Hussain, a Great Awakening that displays the true Islamic values of peace, coexistence and compassion and ushers to a utopian world ruled by justice and equality. During Arbaeen, one can witness an avalanche of young and elderly, women, and children trekking on an 88-kilometre-long dusty road between Najaf and Karbala while sincerely providing other pilgrims with food, or accommodations to have some rest. As devout hosts of the Arbaeen ritual, the Iraqis bring all they have to the roadway between Najaf and Karbala to serve the pilgrims. All pilgrims, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or language, are treated with the highest courtesy and hospitality by their Iraqi brothers and sisters. As a token of loyalty and affection for Imam Hussain, Iraqi children, men, and women ardently offer the pilgrims food and water along the road, urging them to accept the meal. Numerous sociologists consider the classless, albeit religious, procession of Arbaeen as an inspiring and realistic example of how an egalitarian society could be established. During the Arbaeen pilgrimage, those Iraqi hosts who lack sufficient financial conditions get loans to serve Imam Hussain’s pilgrims. Thus, it can be said with absolute conviction that Arbaeen is a matchless miracle in our age when the capitalist system annihilated humanity in humans.

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The Arbaeen Pilgrimage: Spiritual Journey to Wellbeing

About the arbaeen pilgrimage: spiritual journey to wellbeing.

Returning back to the holy land of Karbala, Berak Hussain, a Registered Psychotherapist, explores how this special pilgrimage impacts the psychological well-being and mental health of the pilgrims interviewing them during the Arbaeen visitation.

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Arbaeen: A Lens into a Sacred Journey

The Arbaeen walk, a sacred journey for many Muslims, reaches its climax today. Two Muslims, one a photographer and the other a writer have attempted to capture the world’s largest peaceful gathering through a series of photographic documentation and poetic expressions on the theme of divine love.

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spiritual journey arbaeen 2022

A collaborative effort by writer Saarah Bokhari and photographer Ayaz Ali, Arbaeen: A Lens into a Sacred Journey is a first-hand glimpse into the World’s Largest Peaceful gathering, through intricate photographic documentation and poetic expressions on the theme of divine love. The book provides an insight into the life-defining stages of the journey undertaken by the millions of pilgrims on foot towards Karbala. The endeavoured purpose of this work is to encourage further journalistic coverage of Arbaeen and its unification of divine love and service to humanity in action.

Saarah studied her MSc in Global Politics and Religion at the London School of Economics and University of Oxford. Ayaz is a photographer focusing on documenting major events and humanitarian stories, as well as specializing in travel and landscape photography.

spiritual journey arbaeen 2022

To order the book or learn more about Arbaeen, click here .

The year 2003: Saddam falls. A momentum gathers concurrently along the central southern cities of Iraq. A suppressed nation, banned from walking to the city of Karbala due to the fear of being detained and persecuted by the regime. They are now free to make their way for the first time in three decades. Ironically, this annual peaceful march and pilgrimage to the shrine of Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the midst of ongoing conflict, is now considered the World’s Largest Peaceful Gathering. Up to twenty-five million people march towards Karbala on the occasion of Arbaeen , to mark the fortieth day after the brutal martyrdom of Hussain at the hands of the Caliph Yazid on the Day of Ashura , in 680 CE.

spiritual journey arbaeen 2022

I joined this peaceful march in 2012 and have returned every year since. As a student of Global Politics at the time, the vastness of the pilgrimage with its post-war implications, combined with the spiritual reflections which accompanied it enthralled me. Hailing from a world inherently consumed by materialism, the magnanimous displays of generosity by the Iraqi people, despite facing the extremities of war, made the Arbaeen of Hussain extraordinary. It was far from the images I had seen of Iraq plastered on the news. Women, children, men, youth, the elderly, the displaced, the affluent and the destitute, all inspired by the personalities martyred in the battle of Karbala, walk together in a unison indiscriminate of race, colour, or creed, purely for the love of Hussain. 

spiritual journey arbaeen 2022

It is a world away from all that is familiar. Theatrical plays, recitations, lamentations reminiscent of the martyrs of Karbala enliven your voyage. Each provokes a train of thought as you reflect on the history behind this momentous march. We walk in the footsteps of Hussain’s remaining family members, as they return to Karbala after being released as prisoners of war from the seat of Yazid’s caliphate in modern-day Syria. We reflect upon their arduous journeys since they were exiled from their home in Medina. They have endured deathly thirst when banned from attaining water in Karbala’s desert heat, witnessed the brutal massacre of their loved ones, held captive and tortured. Yet, they stand victorious with their heads held high. For the spirit of divine love had not been severed from Islam in the way that Yazid had hoped. The continued outpouring of love for Hussain on Arbaeen stands as a witness to the victory of his timeless stance. 

spiritual journey arbaeen 2022

In each passing year, Arbaeen never failed to revitalise my faith in its spirit of selfless humanity. Weeks ahead, pilgrims from more than forty countries set up tents, mawkebs , to serve the lovers of Hussain as they proceed to trek through the desert roads en route Karbala. Throughout the eighty-kilometre route between the cities of Najaf and Karbala, luscious spreads of food, shelter and all needs are catered for free, including medical healthcare and massages carried out by altruistic volunteers of all ages. Dates, meat dishes, falafel, freshly made naan bread, the famous Abu Ali tea. As you walk through a vibrant food festival, people stand on the side of the road longing to serve you in any capacity. They seek nothing in return. This is all an ode to Hussain’s legacy of selfless divine love. To uphold and mirror his legacy, his lovers emulate his generosity of heart by fulfilling acts of selfless humanitarian service and demonstrations of love in his name.

spiritual journey arbaeen 2022

It’s empowering, unbelievably empowering, to stand in solidarity with millions of people from all walks of life in a land that has witnessed so much subjugation, and to be able to take a unified stance for the ardently desired peace. This message of peace so perfectly resonates with the collective energy within Hussain’s shrine on the night of Arbaeen. It is the manifestation of deep-rooted love, shared by millions. The power of this collective movement is deeply ironic: Hussain turned a situation of isolation, persecution and loss, into a situation where today he has the largest number of visitors in his death than any human being, ever to live. Hussain turned a situation that shatters the heart of one who comes to know of him, into a lesson which inspires millions to emulate his character. His demonstration of mercy in the face of repression and hardship has led him to stand as an everlasting inspiration. For this reason, his name is honoured by people of faith and no faith alike, and generations of humanitarian leaders have aspired to his moral stances. 

spiritual journey arbaeen 2022

Yet, it is a heart-wrenching reality, that the lovers of Hussain are often targeted by heinous acts of terrorism at this time of the year. Knowing this, the pilgrims continue to peacefully walk to Karbala in order to uphold Hussain’s beautiful legacy, which evocatively ties in with protesting against the injustices of the time. After all, as Hussain demonstrated – his spirit of pure, selfless love always wins. 

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Spiritual Journey - Arbaeen

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  • Documentary about Arbaeen Walk (Spiritual Journey). Abour 300km walking production and great feeling. The Arbaeen Pilgrimage, or the Arbaeen Walk, is the world's largest annual public gathering that is held every year in Karbala, Iraq at the end of the 40-day mourning period following Ashura, the religious ritual for the commemoration of martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad and the third Shia Muslim Imam, Husayn ibn Ali's in 61 AH (680 AD). Anticipating Arbaeen, or the fortieth day of the martyrdom, the pilgrims make their journey to Karbala on foot, where Husayn and his companions were martyred and beheaded by the army of Yazid I in the Battle of Karbala. The number of participants in the annual pilgrimage reached 25 million or more by 2013. On the routes of the pilgrimage, food, accommodation and other services are provided for free by volunteers. Husayn is believed to transcend all cultural boundaries and be a symbol of universal freedom and compassion. During the pilgrimage "copious supplies of food, small clinics and even dentists are available for pilgrims and they all work for free. The care of pilgrims is regarded as a religious duty." Along the roads to Karbala, many mawakibs (tents) are devised with the aim of providing "accommodation, food and beverage and medical services", and practically anything else the pilgrims need for free. What is interesting about this human crowd is that all society segments take part in it. Despite its religious character, nonreligious people also participate in it, in addition to illiterates and holders of high academic degrees, and ordinary people and leaders of the country.

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COMMENTS

  1. Spiritual Journeys

    Ziyarat Calendar. We arrange to take our group for Ziyarat three times a year. Online registrations open up two months before the trip. ARBAEEN ZIYARAT THE WALK FROM NAJAF TO KARBALA. EASTER ZIYARAT ZIYARAT IN APRIL. DECEMBER VACATION ONE WEEK IN IRAQ. Spiritual Journeys been catering for Zuwaars from all parts of the world for Ziyarat in Iraq.

  2. Arbaeen 2022

    Spiritual Journeys is a division of Uniglobe Fleet Travel. Fleet Travel Kenya Ltd. was registered in September 1978, and since its inception has been catering for Zawars & Hujjaj from all parts of the world. We warmly welcome you to our website where you can have a look at various upcoming destinations, register online, view photos and much more.

  3. Arbaeen pilgrimage brings millions to Iraqi city of Karbala

    Pilgrims walk to the holy city of Kerbala, ahead of the holy Shi'ite ritual of Arbaeen, in Najaf, Iraq September 14, 2022 [Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters] ... The journey is especially challenging ...

  4. Karbala Arbaeen Walk 2022 with Intezar Mehdi

    Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwky8caThEo7rmD4PTmbBMw/join[📌Please Subscribe Our Channel & Press The Bell Icon🔔...

  5. Arbaeen Ziyarat Iraq & Iran

    Unique Ziyarat experiences require highly personalized service. Whether you're planning to embark on this holy journey for the first time or you are coming back for a repeat visit- our experts will ensure that you find a package catered specifically for your needs. With budget friendly prices and convenience accommodations.

  6. Duniyah & Maryam travelled with Spiritual Journeys in 2022 for Arbaeen

    Duniyah & Maryam travelled with Spiritual Journeys in 2022 for Arbaeen. This is their story. #arbaeen2023 #spiritualjourneys #arbaeen #iraq #najaf...

  7. Arbaeen Walk: A Life-Changing Journey

    Arba'ein, or forty days, is a Muslim tradition of mourning. When the loved one dies, the family members mourn for a loved one for this length. This year Imam's Arbaeen is marked on Sept. 17, 2022. The holy city of Karbala in Iraq has welcomed millions of pilgrims from across the globe. That includes even Hindus, Jews and Christians.

  8. 'I can get close to God': Millions from around the globe participate in

    Kaneez Fatima Alvi and Lissith Diaz from Colombia are among the millions of people who have made the journey to Iraq this year to take part in the annual Arbaeen walk. It's one of the world's largest-annual religious gatherings. This year, officials predict around 28 million people are expected to participate.

  9. Maqam E ZAFAR E JINN (ra) in KARBALA

    Maqam e Zafar e Jinn | ŰČَŰčÙ’ÙÙŽŰ± ŰŹÙÙ†Ù‘ | Karbala IraqThe Story of Zafar Jinn, Story of Jafar Jin, Jafar Jinn ki kahani; Zafar Jin or Waqia Karbala About: #Zafar...

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    Returning back to the holy land of Karbala, Berak Hussain, a Registered Psychotherapist, explores how this special pilgrimage impacts the psychological well-...

  11. The Arbaeen Walk, A Journey of Spirituality

    The distance from Najaf to Karbala is about 80 km, mostly taken by foot. Pilgrims who want to be in Karbala on the Arbaeen Day should therefore start their journey from the 16th of Safar. Along the 80km stretch, volunteers distribute free food and drinks to those undertaking the pilgrimage, as well as offering places to relax, wash and sleep.

  12. (PDF) Spiritual Experience at the Arbaeen Pilgrimage: The Case of

    The Arbaeen pilgrimage on foot is a memorable journey on the way to Karbala in Iraq, and most pilgrims, especially Iranians, choose to walk to Karbala from the city of Najaf for this purpose.

  13. IUVM ARCHIVE

    Nonetheless, throughout this spiritual journey, they only consider Imam Hussain's mesmerizing magnificence and his enduring objectives of seeking justice, freedom, and struggle against political oppression. ... The spiritual influence of Ashura and Arbaeen and their philosophy of sacrifice, charity, and martyrdom transcends geography ...

  14. Arbaeen: why do millions of Shiite pilgrims gather in Iraq every year?

    Powered by automated translation. Iraq is to host millions of Shiite pilgrims in the city of Karbala at the climax of a key religious ceremony — despite warnings of overcrowding in scorching hot weather. The commemoration ceremony, known as Arbaeen, marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet ...

  15. Arbaeen: A spiritual journey toward an immortal love

    The passage of centuries has never affected the eternal adoration for Imam Hussain (A.S) and his few companions.The month of Muharram, the beginning of the season of invocation to the martyrs who had fallen in the epic battle of Karbala, is one of the most significant events in the Shiite Muslim calendar. The 10-day period of grief culminates with the Day of Ashura.However, Arbaeen, which ...

  16. Arbaeen, The Journey of Passion

    Ziyarat al-Arbaeen has been a tradition since the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as). Millions embark on this journey of love and loyalty annually. With the curr...

  17. The Arbaeen Pilgrimage: Spiritual Journey to Wellbeing

    About The Arbaeen Pilgrimage: Spiritual Journey to Wellbeing. Returning back to the holy land of Karbala, Berak Hussain, a Registered Psychotherapist, explores how this special pilgrimage impacts the psychological well-being and mental health of the pilgrims interviewing them during the Arbaeen visitation.

  18. Arbaeen Walk

    Initially small and at times completely illegal and forced underground, the Arbaeen Walk is a 14 decade strong practice of mourning Hussain ibn Ali (as) by visiting his burial site by foot. Today, over 27 million people participate in the movement, walking the 50 miles from Najaf to Karbala. Through this act of mourning, they reaffirm their ...

  19. Arbaeen: A Lens into a Sacred Journey

    The Arbaeen walk, a sacred journey for many Muslims, reaches its climax today. Two Muslims, one a photographer and the other a writer have attempted to capture the world's largest peaceful gathering through a series of photographic documentation and poetic expressions on the theme of divine love. Saarah Bokhari. 16th September 2022.

  20. Left Arm of Hazrat Abbas A.S

    Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwky8caThEo7rmD4PTmbBMw/join[📌Please Subscribe Our Channel & Press The Bell Icon🔔...

  21. Arbaeen: The journey of love, walk to heaven

    Oct 12, 2020. The Day of Arbaeen marks forty days after the Day of Ashura, the day Imam Hussain , the son of Imam Ali, was killed in the Battle of Karbala. Imam Hussain was a 7th century revolutionary leader who sacrificed his life for social justice. The Arabic word 'Arbaeen' (pronounced Arr-ba-een) translates to forty (i.e. fortieth day).

  22. Spiritual Journey

    Synopsis. Documentary about Arbaeen Walk (Spiritual Journey). Abour 300km walking production and great feeling. The Arbaeen Pilgrimage, or the Arbaeen Walk, is the world's largest annual public gathering that is held every year in Karbala, Iraq at the end of the 40-day mourning period following Ashura, the religious ritual for the commemoration of martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad ...