Commemoration of Arbaeen in Karbala

In Karbala, Iraq, a significant religious event brings together over 20 million Shia Muslims annually. Arbaeen, which recently occurred, commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, a crucial event in Shia Islam.

Pilgrims from across the globe arrive in Iraq for this occasion. Despite the extreme heat, surpassing 110 degrees in August, many Iraqi and Iranian pilgrims walk hundreds of miles to participate. Although the pilgrimage commemorates a sorrowful event, the atmosphere around the shrines feels almost festive.

Images of Imam Hussein are omnipresent, with many being sold as wall hangings. This year, portraits of Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February, have increased. He is considered a martyr in Iran. Despite this, the atmosphere of the pilgrimage remains noncommercial.

Hospitality tents line the roads to Karbala and the shrine area weeks before the event. Volunteers prepare and distribute free food, offering everything from bean stew to grilled chicken. On the streets, people readily provide water and food to passing pilgrims. Many open their homes to accommodate travelers, creating a profound sense of community that is renewed each year.