Western media describes participants in Holy Arbaeen as “Pilgrims”

Western media outlets have described the people heading to the holy city of Karbala from various countries around the world to commemorate the Holy Arbaeen of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, as “pilgrims”, a term symbolically reflects the performance of the greatest religious ritual for Shia Muslims.

Instead of referring to them as citizens, tourists, or visitors, the term “pilgrims” is the most commonly used by foreign media when describing participants in the Arbaeen pilgrimage.

According to Shia Waves Agency,” a significant number of global media outlets have dedicated coverage to the Holy Arbaeen procession, which starts from the far south of Iraq and heads toward the holy city of Karbala.

The media highlighted that “participants in the Hussaini procession, to commemorate the Arbaeen rituals, cross vast distances and diverse terrains, united by a single goal: reaching the shrine of the Prophet’s grandson, Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).”

They also noted that “this annual pilgrimage on foot has become a distinctive symbol for Shia Muslims in Iraq and around the world, with pilgrims spending many days walking before reaching the city of Karbala.”

In their continuous coverage, media outlets mention that the “Arbaeen pilgrimage” represents one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, marking forty days after the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.

They also pointed out that “participants in this procession endure harsh weather conditions and high temperatures as they continue walking during the day.”