By Trans Asia News
KARBALA, Iraq — Millions of devout Muslims are flocking to the holy city of Karbala as the annual pilgrimage to mark Arbaeen or 40th day after Ashura reaches its climax on Sunday.
Shrine city of Karbala is teeming with pilgrims as according to Tahseen Al-Khafaji, head of the Iraqi security media cell, more than 3 million foreign pilgrims had entered the country as of Friday, amid tight security measures. Millions more have been marching from across Iraq towards Karbala for Arbaeen.
Pilgrims converge in Najaf, the resting place of Imam Ali (AS) and then undertake an 80 kilometer journey on foot to Karbala every year to renew their allegiance to Imam Imam Hussein (AS), who became a symbol of resistance during the tumultuous first century of Islam’s history.
Hussain ibn Ali was mercilessly slain along with his family and small group of companions by Umayyad Caliph Yazeed bin Muawiya in Karbala, then a barren desert, in 680 AD disregarding his status as the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). Womenfolk were chained and paraded to Damascus, the capital of Umayyads in Syria.
The pilgrimage to Imam Hussain’s shrine was curbed by successive Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphs and later by Iraqi dictators. It was only reintroduced in 2003 after the Shia majority gained power in Iraq for the first time ever.
The pilgrims have been frequent target by the ISIS and other terror groups with extremist elements attacking the pilgrimage with suicide bombers and even rockets, leaving hundreds of pilgrims dead. The attacks only added to the resolve of pilgrims.
The Arbaeen— Arabic for the number 40 and traditionally marks the end of a mourning period — is now the world’s largest annual gathering and far exceeds the number of visitors to Makkah for the Haj — which draws around two million pilgrims.
This year Arbaeen was shrouded with sadness over the war in Gaza, now in its 11th month, and worries it may expand into a regional conflict with tensions spiking between Israel and Iran after Palestinian leader Ismail Hanyeh was assassinated in Tehran last month.
Though Imam Hussein’s martyrdom had exacerbated the schism between Islam’s two main sects in successive periods. However, for many Muslims, that division has now taken a back seat to shared anger and grief over the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza where more than 40,000 have so far been killed.
Palestinian flags are seen across the 80 kilometer trek from Najaf to Karbala used by pilgrims for their journey on foot following the tradition of those who braved threats, first by successive governments and later by ISIS. This march has come to be known as the ‘Arabaeen Walk’.
Every year, in the days leading up to Arbaeen, millions of people undertake this walk– braving simmering heat and other challenges.
Those who embark on this spiritual journey say it’s part of the effort to reaffirm the pledge to the principles that were exemplified by the martyrs of Karbala – ‘until death no humiliation’.
Along the way, people can be seen carrying the flags of their respective countries as well as posters, placards and banners extending their support and allegiance to the oppressed people worldwide.
Iraqis, known for their exemplary hospitality, open their homes and hearts to these esteemed guests from different countries and go out of their way to serve the pilgrims.
There are thousands of makeshift stalls dotting the road from Najaf to Karbala featuring Palestine-centric programs to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Notably, an increasing number of Sunni’s are taking part in this walk now, demonstrating the spirit of unity.
One of the pictures from this year’s Arbaeen was that of Shias and Sunnis praying together along the way, which was circulated widely on social media platforms.
On the other side volunteers could be seen lining the nearly 113-kilometer road from Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, to Karbala, offering food to weary pilgrims.
“Everything we offer is to commemorate and serve our Master (Hussein),” said Hussein Ali, a volunteer in Baghdad.
Iranian pilgrim Ali Bagheri expressed his happiness with Iraqi hospitality. “I’m again a guest of Iraqis,” he said, “I’m very happy I can walk down this path with Iraqis and we can make a pilgrimage.”
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