Women Play Pivotal Role in Arba’een’s Cultural Diplomacy, New Study Highlights
The annual Arba’een pilgrimage, a monumental religious observance, has transcended its traditional scope to become a significant global event with immense potential for cultural diplomacy.
A new article, “The Role of Women in the Cultural Diplomacy of Arbaeen: An International Approach,” published by ABNA24, emphasizes the crucial contribution of women—including pilgrims, volunteers, missionaries, and cultural activists—to this phenomenon.
The research, adopting an international perspective, delves into the field participation of women from diverse countries, examining their engagement in intercultural communications, content creation, and overall global impact. Arba’een is presented not merely as a Shiite religious event but as a powerful platform for showcasing Islam’s soft power, fostering cultural exchange, international understanding, and influencing global public opinion.
Women, leveraging their inherent communicative, educational, and cultural roles, are identified as effective agents of influence. Their participation involves representing Shiite cultural identity through modest attire, active presence, child-rearing practices, and contributions to Mawkibs (hospitality stations), which indirectly convey cultural expressions to international audiences. Many foreign pilgrims, including new Muslims and non-Muslims, are drawn to the “Zeinabi” (Zainab-like) model of womanhood through these interactions.
Furthermore, women from various nations contribute to the Arba’een narrative by sharing personal stories, creating videos, writing memoirs, and engaging on social media. Female journalists, documentarians, researchers, poets, artists, and social activists participating in Arba’een generate significant cultural and media reflections on the international stage. In recent years, women-led Mawkibs, including international ones, have emerged as vital centers for intercultural exchange, offering educational programs, cultural exhibitions, and dialogue platforms that promote interfaith and international conversations.
The article concludes that the dignified, modest, and impactful presence of Muslim women during Arba’een challenges Islamophobic narratives often promoted by Western media, presenting a new, positive image of Muslim women as active, participatory, and globally responsible. This highlights the civilizational potential of women in advancing Arba’een’s cultural diplomacy through international networks, grassroots initiatives, multilingual content, and participation in global forums.
