Pilgrims Gather in Karbala to Commemorate Arbaeen

Jane Arraf of NPR reports from Karbala, a city in central Iraq, where over 20 million Shia Muslims gather annually for Arbaeen. This event, which occurred earlier this month, commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, an event pivotal in Shia Islam.

Pilgrims arrive from across the globe to participate in the event. Despite the intense August heat exceeding 110 degrees, many Iraqi and Iranian pilgrims undertake long walks spanning hundreds of miles to honor the occasion.

The atmosphere outside the shrines is lively, with numerous depictions of Imam Hussein, including wall hangings. This year marked an increase in portraits of Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by the U.S. in February and is regarded as a martyr in Iran.

The pilgrimage setting is notably noncommercial. For weeks leading to the event, roads and shrine areas in Karbala feature hospitality tents. Volunteers prepare and distribute free meals, from bean stew to grilled chicken. Food and water are freely given to passersby, and locals open their homes for pilgrims to rest.

This annual event fosters a strong sense of community, recreating connections among participants and hosts each year.