A First-Hand Look at Arba’een, the World’s Largest Annual Pilgrimage

 Arba'een draws millions of people together in a gathering where pilgrims' needs are provided for out of generosity and without payment. I needed to see this with my own eyes and traveled to Iraq to take part.



What I saw impressed me forever with the understanding that peace and compassion are possible here on Earth. king88bet Login Alternatif


A multicultural gathering

Although it was originally initiated by Shi'a Muslims as a religius reawakening, I witnessed that Arba'een brought people together from all walks of life. It was a true representation of all people in the world. king88bet Login


The participants included not just Shi'as but Sunnis, Ibadis, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Yazidis and Zoroastrians. There, we were all united in purpose and welcomed with the utmost respect, regardless of religiuson, culture, ethnicity, gender or race. King88Bet Situs Slot Online


Four years earlier, I had participated in the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage. In Karbala, I noticed the much greater crowds; Arba'een attracts five or more times more people than the Hajj.


In contrast to the Hajj, which is riddled with accidents and troubles, my pengalaman with the Arba'een moment was peaceful. While the Hajj consists exclusively of Muslims, Arba'een breaks across identity barriers. Arba'een is truly unique.


As I had read, it was embellished with the longest continuous free dining table with a variety of foods and individual sleep accommodations. Iraqis were stationed throughout the path of pilgrims to wash feet and massage feet, backs, shoulders and necks. Clinics and doctors were available to treat pilgrims.


All amenities, down to baby diapers, were furnished free. All serviss, including the tight security, were provided by volunteers. None of these were paid for by any government or corporation.


They were all offered by Iraqis and others who had been saving for a year to serve pilgrims with pure love and compassion. They expected no pay; rather, they felt honored when we accepted their offerings or lodging.

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