Arba'in pilgrimage

The Arba'in pilgrimage is the largest annual public gathering in the world. It is a religious journey to the shrine of Husayn ibn Ali in Karbala, Iraq. Husayn was the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third Shia imam. This pilgrimage occurs every year on the twentieth of Safar, a day known as Arba'in. It serves as a profound expression of faith, identity, and remembrance for Shia Muslims.

For many, the event represents a struggle against oppression and a symbol of solidarity.

The pilgrimage is deeply tied to the historical events of the seventh century. Arba'in marks forty days after the tenth of Muharram, known as Ashura. On 10 Muharram in 61 AH (680 CE), Husayn was killed during the Battle of Karbala. He fought against the army of the Umayyad caliph, Yazid ibn Mu'awiya. This battle occurred because Husayn refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid, who many historians describe as impious. After the battle, the women and children of Husayn's camp were taken as prisoners to Damascus. In Shia Islam, this history symbolizes the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Many pilgrims follow a specific, physically demanding route to reach the shrine. The most common path begins in the nearby city of Najaf. Pilgrims walk approximately 80 kilometers to reach Karbala, a journey that typically takes three days on foot.

This walking tradition is a central part of the pilgrimage experience. During this time, the act of mourning for Husayn allows followers to share in his perceived pain. Some also view the pilgrimage as an act of protest against injustice.

A unique feature of Arba'in is the massive system of volunteer hospitality. As pilgrims walk, they are supported by thousands of hospitality units. In 2014, there were 7,000 such units established in Karbala alone. Volunteers provide free meals, beverages, and accommodation to all travelers. They also offer medical services, including small clinics and even dentists. For these volunteers, providing this care is considered a sacred religious duty. This culture of generosity is a defining characteristic of the event.

The history of the pilgrimage has seen significant changes in scale and legality. In the past, the commemoration was often small and private to avoid the wrath of the Umayyads. Later, Shia imams worked to make the tradition more official. For example, the imam Hasan al-Askari reportedly listed the pilgrimage as a sign of a true believer. In more recent history, the Iraqi president Saddam Hussein banned the ritual. After his removal from power in 2003, the pilgrimage grew rapidly. Attendance rose from two million people in 2003 to approximately twenty million in 2014. Some reports from 2015 and 2016 estimated the number reached twenty-two million.

The pilgrimage is massive when compared to other global religious events. It is the second largest human gathering in the world, following the Hindu Kumbh Mela in India. While the Kumbh Mela is larger, it only happens once every three years. This makes Arba'in the largest annual gathering in a single location. It is also significantly larger than the Hajj, which is the obligatory pilgrimage for all Muslims. While Hajj is a required pillar of Islam, Arba'in is a voluntary tradition. Some scholars note that the costs of Hajj have made Arba'in an affordable alternative for many.

Arba'in has also become a site of interfaith engagement and political significance. While rooted in Shia Islam, it attracts people from many backgrounds. Participants include Sunnis, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Yazidis, and Zoroastrians. These individuals may join the walk or work to serve the pilgrims. Politically, the event has symbolized Shia defiance and solidarity. It has also been a target for violence, such as suicide bombings in 2012 and 2013. Because of these risks, the pilgrimage is conducted under heavy security by Iraqi forces. Today, the event remains a complex site of religious devotion, political expression, and cultural identity.