Every year, millions travel to the holy city of Karbala, Iraq to commemorate Arbaeen, an occasion which marks 40 days after Ashura, when the grandson of the Holy Prophet, Imam Hussein, was killed in 680 AD. The pilgrimage consists of walking 50 miles from Najaf to Karbala and is a show of support for social justice, dignity and compassion. The official number of visitors during the 10-day period surpassed 22 million people on September 6, 2023, making it the largest and most peaceful gathering in the world. Shia Muslims largely attended the commemoration, as well as many Sunni Muslims and Christians who also visited to pay their respect to Imam Hussein. Here is how the Arbaeen pilgrimage helps those in poverty.

Hospitality and Kindness in the Face of Poverty 

One of the most beautiful elements of the Arbaeen pilgrimage is the extensive hospitality that participants offer to all kinds of people. Participants provide water, food, shelter and transportation to visitors for free, no matter their age, ethnicity or religion. Along the walking path from Najaf to Karbala, there are thousands of food and refreshment stalls with spaces for resting and medical attention, set up to serve all passers-by. One table holds the world record for the world’s largest dining table.

UNICEF’s 2020 Report 

UNICEF reports that 4.5 million Iraqis are now below the poverty line for socio-economic and COVID-related reasons. Iraq, with a poverty rate of 31.7%, still makes room every year for millions of visitors to commemorate the family of the Prophet, and in doing so provides stability and hospitality to the many Iraqis who are unable to make ends meet. The scale of hospitality led one visitor to claim that it makes one “want to give back.” The event helps those who don’t have access to basic human necessities such as food, water and shelter and helps combat poverty.

Helping the Poor Worldwide During Arbaeen

During the period of Arbaeen, there are several independent organizations that operate inside Iraq and outside, to help combat poverty. For instance, the charity Who Is Hussain, a grassroots social justice movement, operates on five continents to help feed and clothe the poor. Overall, it has accumulated around 50,000 blood donations, saved more than 140,000 lives and helped feed more than 700,000 people. During the period of Arbaeen, its teams provide voluntary initiatives around the world like donating blood, alongside distributing food, drink and masks to citizens, to countries including “USA, France, Britain, Pakistan, Lebanon as well as African cities and countries suffering from poverty.”

Looking Forward

Despite Iraq’s many years of war and suffering, every year the Arbaeen pilgrimage showcases the many beautiful things Iraq has to offer, demonstrating its resilience and hospitality to the world. The hospitality of Arbaeen helps those who may not have a place to sleep at night or a warm meal to come home to, providing hope to Iraqis — and all humanity.

– Amber Hamed
Photo: Wikipedia Commons