American Pastor after participating in Arbaeen Pilgrimage: I went there and I never felt safer

Pastor John Shuck of Southminster Presbyterian Church of Beaverton has returned from the pilgrimage of a lifetime — the Arbaeen.

Pastor John Shuck of Southminster Presbyterian Church of Beaverton has returned from the pilgrimage of a lifetime — the Arbaeen.

Shuck described his journey at a Washington County Public Affairs Forum on Monday, Dec. 3.

“This is the largest peaceful religious gathering in recorded history,” Shuck said. “Yet most people in America have never even heard of it.”

Josh Townsley, executive director of Evergreen Habitat for Humanity in Vancouver, Wash., was with Shuck on the trip.

Shuck is also host of “Progressive Spirit” and “Beloved Community” on Portland radio station KBOO. His church is on Southwest Denney Road across from the Islamic Center of Portland, a Shia mosque — and his participation in conferences at Portland State University and the Husaynia Shia Islamic Society of Greater Seattle led to his invitation to Iraq.

Karbala, which is just under 1 million population, has no water or sewer system, and no electrical grid. Generators supply most power. But mosques, charities and others along the pilgrimage route provide food without charge.