The ancient city of Karbala in Iraq has once again become the epicenter of one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. This year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage has drawn over 21 million Shia Muslims from across the globe, marking a significant moment of faith and unity. The event, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, has taken on an additional dimension this year. Pilgrims are using this platform to show their solidarity with the people of Gaza, intertwining their religious observance with a powerful political statement.

The Significance of Arbaeen

Arbaeen, meaning “forty” in Arabic, marks the culmination of a 40-day mourning period following Ashura, the day Imam Hussein was martyred in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. This event holds profound significance in Shia Islam, representing the struggle against injustice and tyranny. Each year, millions of pilgrims make their way to Karbala, often on foot, to pay homage at the shrines of Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas.

The pilgrimage is characterized by intense displays of grief and devotion. Pilgrims weep and wail, reenacting the suffering of Imam Hussein and his followers. The two enormous mausoleums in Karbala, facing each other, become the focal point of these emotional outpourings. This year, the institution managing the Abbas mausoleum reported a total of 21,480,525 pilgrims, slightly down from last year’s 22 million but still an impressive figure given global circumstances.

Arbaeen Solidarity Amidst Conflict

This year’s Arbaeen has been marked by a notable display of support for the Palestinian cause, particularly for those in Gaza. Pilgrims have been seen carrying Palestinian flags and wearing traditional keffiyeh scarves, symbols of Palestinian identity and resistance. This visual display of solidarity comes against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives since October.

Mohammed al-Tamimi, a 32-year-old pilgrim, expressed the sentiment behind these displays: “The Palestinian flags waving among the pilgrims are in support of our brothers in Palestine and in response to the Zionists, saying that Muslims stand as one against the Zionist actions and against the crimes taking place in Gaza.” This intertwining of religious observance with political solidarity demonstrates the complex role that the Arbaeen pilgrimage plays in the broader Muslim world.

Logistics and International Participation

Organizing an event of this magnitude requires extensive planning and security measures. The Iraqi authorities have implemented tight security protocols to ensure the safety of millions of pilgrims. Despite the challenges, the pilgrimage has seen significant international participation. Iran, in particular, has been a major source of foreign pilgrims, with official figures reporting about 3.5 million Iranian participants.

The logistics of accommodating such a vast number of pilgrims are staggering. Local residents of Karbala and surrounding areas often open their homes to pilgrims, providing food, water, and shelter. This hospitality, known as “mawkib,” is considered a religious duty and a way to honor the memory of Imam Hussein, known for his generosity and sacrifice.

The Arbaeen pilgrimage of 2024 stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the capacity for religious gatherings to become platforms for broader social and political expressions. As millions of Shia Muslims came together to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, they also united in a show of solidarity with the people of Gaza, demonstrating the interconnectedness of religious devotion and contemporary geopolitical concerns.

This year’s event, while slightly smaller in scale compared to previous years, has nonetheless made a significant impact. The prominent display of Palestinian flags and symbols among the sea of mourners in Karbala sends a powerful message of unity and support that resonates far beyond the borders of Iraq. It underscores the potential of religious gatherings to serve as vehicles for international solidarity and political expression.

As the pilgrims return to their homes across the world, they carry with them not only the spiritual renewal that comes from participating in this ancient ritual but also a strengthened sense of connection to their fellow Muslims facing hardship and conflict. The Arbaeen pilgrimage of 2024 will likely be remembered not just for its impressive numbers, but for the way it bridged the gap between historical remembrance and contemporary concerns, between spiritual practice and political consciousness.

In an era marked by global tensions and conflicts, the sight of millions peacefully gathering in shared purpose and empathy offers a powerful counter-narrative. It reminds the world of the potential for faith to be a unifying force, capable of transcending national boundaries and speaking to universal human experiences of suffering, resilience, and hope.

As the dust settles on this year’s pilgrimage, its echoes will continue to resonate. The images of millions standing in solidarity with Gaza from the holy city of Karbala will likely leave a lasting impression, influencing discourse and potentially shaping political attitudes across the Muslim world and beyond. In this way, the Arbaeen pilgrimage of 2024 has once again demonstrated its significance not just as a religious observance, but as a powerful moment of collective expression on the world stage.