More than 21 million people participated in the Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq this year, according to the Associated Press.
Arbaeen, marking the 40th day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world and a significant event for Shia Muslims, particularly in Iraq and Iran. It was be observed this year from the evening of Sunday (August 25) to Monday (August 26).
The total number of pilgrims this year was 21,480,525, with approximately 3.5 million coming from Iran.
The pilgrimage this year was notable for the display of Palestinian flags among the attendees, in solidarity with Gaza amid the ongoing genocide by Israel.
The flags symbolized support for Palestinians and a unified stand against Zionist actions and the violence in Gaza, AP reported.
Since October, the genocide has resulted in over 40,000 deaths in Gaza.
Last year’s Arbaeen drew around 22 million pilgrims, with the highest number of foreign visitors coming from Iran. Security was a major focus to ensure the safety of attendees.
Arbaeen, which means “forty” in Arabic, falls on the 20th day of Safar, the second month of the Islamic lunar calendar, concluding a 40-day mourning period that begins with Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hussain ibn Ali. Ashura was observed from the evening of Monday, July 15, to Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
Rest in pictures:
Women take part in the Arbaeen walk on the highway from Najaf to Karbala. As per the holy shrine authorities, more than 6 million women took part in the Arabeen pilgrimage with total of 21 million including men and women. [FPK Photo/ Syed Shahriyar]
Pilgrims walk past a Palestinian flag on way to Karbala during Arbaeen walk. An official slogan during the Arbaeen pilgrimage this year was “karbala on the path of Al-Aqsa”. [FPK Photo/ Syed Shahriyar]
Palestinian scholars take part in a evening programme highlighting the plight of Gaza at their camp “Nida Al-Aqsa” on way to Karbala during Arabeen. [FPK Photo/ Syed Shahriyar]
A woman prays at the grave of Abu Mehdi-Al-Muhandis, chief of Popular mobilisation forces (PMF) in Wadi-e-Salam cemetery in Najaf. Pilgrims before starting walk towards Karbala visit his grave. Abu Mehdi Al Muhandis was killed in a drone strike along with Iranian General Qaseem Solomani in 2020. [FPK Photo/ Syed Shahriyar]
Pilgrims make their way towards Karbala during night time on Najaf-Karbala highway. Most of the pilgrims prefer walking during night time due to high temperatures touching 50 °C in the day. [FPK Photo/ Syed Shahriyar]
Processions entering the Holy shrine of Imam Hussain on the eve of Arbaeen in Karbala. [FPK Photo/ Syed Shahriyar]
A procession of women from turkey inside the shrine of Imam Hussain in Karbala. Processions on Arabeen enter from the Qibla gate of holy shrine before walking through the bayn Al Haramain (space between the two shrines) towards the shrine of Hazrat Abbas to pledge and pay tributes. [FPK Photo/ Syed Shahriyar]
Pilgrims gather at the Bayn-Al-Haramain, (space between the two shrines ) as more than 21 million pilgrims took part in the Arabeeen pilgrimage in this year amid hot temperatures. [FPK Photo/ Syed Shahriyar]
Sheikh Abdullah as Salam from Palestine serves pilgrims at their camp “Nida Al-Aqsa”, set on the way to Karbala during the Arbaeen walk. Abdullah lives in Lebanon and was from Palestine. [FPK Photo/ Syed Shahriyar]
