🇮🇶 Millions Flood Karbala for Arbaeen Pilgrimage

 

Millions of Shiite pilgrims have poured into Karbala for Arbaeen, a mass gathering that eclipses the Hajj in size and marks a pivotal moment in Islamic history.

Zig Diaries Faith
Date: Friday, 15 August 2025
Time: 13:00 WAT
Location: 📍 Karbala, Iraq

The annual pilgrimage, held 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, draws worshippers from across the world in one of the largest public assemblies on the planet.

Pilgrims streamed into the holy city from across Iraq, with many walking for days from Najaf, Baghdad, and other towns. More than two million foreign visitors — including a large contingent from Iran — joined Iraqi worshippers.

The faithful were greeted by volunteers lining the routes, offering free food, water, and rest tents in a tradition of hospitality tied to the pilgrimage.

Arbaeen commemorates the 7th-century killing of Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala — a moment that deepened the historic Sunni-Shiite divide.

Though less known internationally than the Hajj, Arbaeen’s scale surpasses it, underlining its deep spiritual and communal significance for Shiite Muslims worldwide.

Fact-Check & Background Context:
Arbaeen occurs 40 days after Ashura, the day Imam Hussein was killed in 680 AD. Attendance often exceeds 20 million people, making it the largest annual religious gathering in the world.

🏷️ Tags: Arbaeen, Karbala, Imam Hussein, Shiite Islam, Iraq Pilgrimage
 #ZigDiariesFaith #Arbaeen #Karbala #ImamHussein #ShiitePilgrimage