Arbaeen Pilgrimage
Arbaeen Pilgrimage
February 28
In the year 680 c.e., Imam al-Hussein died during the Battle of Taf in Karbala, Iraq. He was the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad and, for Shiite Muslims, one of the three holiest figures in their religion. To commemorate his passing, Shiites from around the world hold the week-long Arbaeen Pilgrimage to his gravesite 40 days after his death. This period of 40 days is the traditional Muslim mourning period following a death. Imam al-Hussein's tomb is in the town of Karbala, about 50 miles south of Baghdad.
Karbala is one of the holiest cities for Shiite Muslims. It has more than 100 mosques and 23 religious schools in its old quarter. For Shiite Muslims, the city is also believed to be a gate to paradise. Many elderly believers come to the city to die, hoping to enter paradise more easily.
During the regime of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, the Arbaeen Pilgrimage was banned. Clashes between pilgrims and the Iraqi military resulted in the arrest of thousands of people and the deaths of hundreds more. Since his overthrow in 2003, the number of people celebrating the Shiite holiday has grown every year. While there have been deaths from attacks made by Sunni suicide bombers, the Arbaeen Pilgrimage has been a largely peaceful affair in which some seven million people participate.
Karbala is one of the holiest cities for Shiite Muslims. It has more than 100 mosques and 23 religious schools in its old quarter. For Shiite Muslims, the city is also believed to be a gate to paradise. Many elderly believers come to the city to die, hoping to enter paradise more easily.
During the regime of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, the Arbaeen Pilgrimage was banned. Clashes between pilgrims and the Iraqi military resulted in the arrest of thousands of people and the deaths of hundreds more. Since his overthrow in 2003, the number of people celebrating the Shiite holiday has grown every year. While there have been deaths from attacks made by Sunni suicide bombers, the Arbaeen Pilgrimage has been a largely peaceful affair in which some seven million people participate.
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