Millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims collect in Iraq for Arbaeen

Pilgrims in Karbala hold up Palestinian flags inthemiddleof the war in Gaza as they mark yearly grieving for martyrdom of Imam Hussein.

Published On 25 Aug 2024

More than 21 million Shia Muslims took part in the Arbaeen trip in Iraq this year, marking the 40th day of grieving for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and a starting figure in Shia Islam.

The occasion peaked on Sunday, with guests showing their assistance for Gaza.

Arbaeen, which suggests 40 in Arabic, is one of the world’s greatest spiritual events and a significant occasion for Shia Muslims, who are the bulk in Iraq and Iran.

Shiite Muslim devotees gather between the shrines of Imam Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas (background) and Imam Hussein (not pictured) in Iraq's central holy city of Karbala on August 24, 2024, during Arbaeen commemorations marking the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein Bin Ali. (Photo by Mohammed SAWAF / AFP) — Shia Muslim followers collect inbetween the shrines of Imam Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas (background) and Imam Hussein (not visualized) in Iraq’s main holy city of Karbala [Mohammed Sawaf/AFP]

Karbala, where Hussein and his sibling Abbas are buried in 2 massive mausoleums dealingwith each other, is the centre of the Shia world throughout this time.

Pilgrims easily reveal their suffering, weeping and wailing in memory of Hussein, who was eliminated in 680 throughout a fight in Karbala with the Umayyad caliph Yazid.

This year, the occasions have consistedof popular shows of Palestinian flags by pilgrims amidst the war in Gaza.

“The overall number of Arbaeen pilgrims… reached 21,480,525,” the organization that handles the Abbas mausoleum and is accountable for the count stated.

Among them were about 3.5 million Iranian pilgrims, according to authorities figures reported in Tehran.