Arbaeen Pilgrimage Praised as “80-Kilometere Tablecloth” Showcasing Generosity and Devotion

Arbaeen Pilgrimage Praised as “80-Kilometere Tablecloth” Showcasing Generosity and Devotion
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The annual Arbaeen pilgrimage—symbolically described by Eman Sakina as an “80-km tablecloth of faith, hospitality, and unity”—draws millions of Shia Muslims from around the world as well as people of other faiths to walk from Najaf to Karbala, covering approximately 80 kilometres in a profound act of devotion and solidarity.

According to the opinion piece published on Awaz The Voice, this pilgrimage, which involves an 80-kilometer walk from Najaf to Karbala, has become the world’s largest annual human gathering.

A central and awe-inspiring part of this event is the unmatched hospitality provided by the Iraqi people, often referred to as the “80-km long tablecloth.” This is a symbolic reference to the continuous rows of food tents, stalls, and open buffets lining the pilgrimage route, which operate 24 hours a day and provide meals and refreshments completely free of charge. This massive effort, known as “Mawākib hospitality,” is not centrally organized. Instead, it is the result of thousands of volunteer groups and families who are driven by their faith and love for Imam Husain (peace be upon him).

The article highlights that Iraqis save money throughout the year to host these pilgrims, treating every visitor as an honored guest. Everything is done “Fi Sabilillah,” for the sake of Allah, and no money is accepted from the pilgrims. This extensive display of generosity, spiritual resilience, and community cooperation is presented as a powerful counter-narrative to the common headlines of conflict often associated with Iraq.

According to Ziarat Planner, these Mawākib are “not businesses… an expression of devotion… ‘You are a guest of Husain; we are your servants.’”

UNESCO has recognized this humanitarian outpouring: in December 2019, Arbaeen hospitality was inscribed on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, honoring the pilgrimage’s spontaneous, grassroots generosity.