More than 21 million Shia Muslims gathered in Iraq for the Arbaeen pilgrimage this year, marking the 40th day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The event, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, took place in Karbala, the centre of the Shia world, where Hussein and his brother Abbas are buried. Pilgrims openly mourned Hussein’s death in 680 and showed support for Gaza by holding up Palestinian flags.
The institution managing the Abbas mausoleum reported that over 21 million pilgrims participated, including 3.5 million from Iran. The pilgrims expressed solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza, denouncing the actions of the Zionist regime. The Arbaeen commemorations come as Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza, with over 1,100 deaths during a recent Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.
The event, known for its tight security measures, drew around 22 million pilgrims last year, with Iran contributing the most foreign visitors. This year’s gathering saw an increase in displays of support for Palestine, reflecting the unity of Muslims against the atrocities in Gaza. The Arbaeen pilgrimage continues to draw millions of Shia Muslims from around the world to Karbala to honor the memory of Imam Hussein and show solidarity with those suffering from injustice.
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