Millions of Muslims in Iran mark Arba'een
Yusuf Jalali
Press TV, Tehran
Millions of Muslims from across the globe are in Karbala to attend mourning processions marking Arba’een. In the Iranian capital Tehran, thousands of those who could not make it to the Iraqi city, have participated in a symbolic march to pay respect to Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad.
The occasion marks the anniversary of the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hussein, and his 72 companions who were martyred during the battle of Karbala some 14 centuries ago.
Every year on Arba’een, an average number of 20 million pilgrims from across the world beat long distances on foot to converge on the holy shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, making it the largest human gathering in the world.
To every Shia Muslim, it's a dream to visit the holy shrine of Imam Hussein, especially on the day of Arba’een. These people could not make it to Karbala this year, but have symbolically traversed a 15-km distance on foot from Tehran to the town of Rey to satiate their desire to mark Arba’een. This annual event called the Arbaeen March is held for those left behind.
All of the march routes lead up to the shrine of Shah abdul-Azim, who is one of the descendants of Imam Hassan, the second Shia Imam. By attending these ceremonies, these people get the feeling that they are in Karbala. People from all walks of life have observed the tradition. The love for Imam Hussein is seen even among the young.
Imam Hussein was martyred in 680 AD by the forces of the tyrant of the time, Umayyad caliph Yazid ibn Muawiya, after he refused to pay allegiance to Yazid. That made Imam Hussein an eternal figure in Islam and a symbol of resistance against injustice.
These people owe the existence of Islam to Imam Hussein; hence, they see Arba'een as a chance to honor Imam Hussein for saving Islam and a means to pass on his legacy to the new generations.
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