Millions Converge on Holy Karbala for Arbaeen Pilgrimage

Millions Converge on Holy Karbala for Arbaeen Pilgrimage
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Millions of Shia Muslims from Iraq and around the world marked the Arbaeen pilgrimage, commemorating 40 days since the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). The annual event, regarded as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, spanned nearly a month of rituals, mourning, and service offered to pilgrims journeying toward Karbala.

The pilgrimage began on the 22nd of Muharram and continued until the 20th of Safar, with processions setting out from southern Basra’s Ras al-Bisha area as well as from central and northern Iraq. Pilgrims walked for days to reach the holy city, offering condolences to the Prophet Muhammad and his family while paying tribute to Imam Hussein, remembered as the “Master of Martyrs.”

Throughout the 30-day journey, visitors were hosted by volunteers and service groups who provided food, water, and shelter. Mourning rituals, processions, and symbolic acts of grief were carried out across the route, underscoring themes of sacrifice, justice, and resilience central to Imam Hussein’s legacy.

Organizers and participants described Arbaeen as not only a religious commemoration but also a global symbol of unity, drawing people of diverse backgrounds to honor the values of Karbala. Pilgrims said the annual observance continues to instill lessons of compassion, solidarity, and resistance to oppression.