Accessibility Enhanced for Elderly and Disabled Pilgrims on Arbaeen Walk

This year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage from Najaf to Karbala saw a significant increase in efforts to accommodate elderly pilgrims and those with mobility limitations.

Volunteer groups and mawkibs (pilgrim rest stops) introduced accessible routes, specialized accommodations, and dedicated assistance, ensuring a safer and more spiritual experience for these visitors, Shia Waves Persian reported. The Misbah Al-Hussein Cultural and Charity Foundation played a central role in facilitating these enhanced services.

While the Arbaeen walk is a profound spiritual journey for all, elderly pilgrims and those with disabilities face unique challenges such as fatigue and navigating crowded paths. Recognizing their desire to participate, numerous mawkibs and community groups took innovative steps to provide a more comfortable and spiritually enriching experience.

Along the Najaf-Karbala route, temporary accommodations specifically designed for the elderly and disabled were established, featuring adjustable beds, comfortable seating, and basic medical facilities. Volunteers and community groups staffed these centers, offering rest, nutritious food, and specialized care. Furthermore, designated walking paths with appropriate flooring and gentle slopes were created to ease wheelchair and elderly access to the holy shrines.

Volunteers were also assigned to accompany and guide elderly pilgrims through crowded areas, providing a stress-free experience. Experts believe that addressing the needs of this demographic not only fulfills a humanitarian duty but also enhances their spiritual connection and encourages greater participation in the Arbaeen rituals. Some mawkibs even organized short cultural programs and spiritual entertainment tailored for elderly pilgrims.

Within Karbala itself, volunteer teams were dedicated to assisting elderly and disabled pilgrims in wheelchairs, managing routes through congested areas to ensure safe passage to the holy shrines of Imam Hussein and Abalfazl al-Abbas (peace be upon them both). The Misbah Al-Hussein Cultural and Charity Foundation contributed significantly by providing wheelchairs, training volunteers, and establishing dedicated rest areas. These collective efforts ensured that elderly and disabled pilgrims could complete the Arbaeen walk and visit the holy shrines in peace and with enhanced spirituality, highlighting an often-overlooked yet vital aspect of this massive annual pilgrimage.