Increasing around 10 percent in comparison with last year’s figures, 22 to 25 million pilgrims have flocked into the Holy Shrines in the Iraqi city of Karbala to mark Arbaeen anniversary (commemoration the 40th day following Imam Hussein’s martyrdom) at the two Holy Shrines of Imam Hussein (P) and His Brother, Imam Abbas (P).
The occasion refers to the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein (AS), grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who was martyred along with 72 of his companions in the Battle of Karbala, in southern Iraq, in 680 AD after fighting courageously for justice against the much larger army of the Umayyad caliph, Yazid I.
The Iraqi authorities have taken the necessary security measures to protect the visitors and deployed crews tasked to distribute anti-coronavirus face masks.
Dozens of thousands of Iraqis voluntarily serve the visitors, providing them with food, beverage and medical stuffs.
Meanwhile, people in the Iranian capital Tehran have held a march as part of ceremonies to mark Arbaeen.
The march began early on Thursday from Imam Hussein Square in central Tehran, continuing toward Shahr-e Rey, a town south of the capital city, which is home to the holy shrine of Shah Abdol-Azim.
The 13km-long march is reminiscent of a walk in Iraq from the city of Najaf to the city of Karbala, where Imam Hussein’s holy shrine is located.
The Iranians who have been unable to attend the Arbaeen Walk in Iraq hold the march in Tehran in a symbolic move and as part of ceremonies to mark the 40th day after Imam Hussein’s martyrdom on Ashura.
Ashura is the tenth day on the lunar Islamic calendar, when Imam Hossein and his 72 companions were martyred by the tyrant of their time, Yazid, during the battle of Karbala 14 centuries ago.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah and mourners will mark Arbaeen in a massive march into Sayyeda Khawla Holy shrine in Baalebek where Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem will deliver a speech.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
