Hawzah News Agency (Qom, Iran) – In an interview with Hawzah News’ correspondent in Qom on Sunday, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi highlighted the significant role of Arbaeen pilgrimage in defeating ISIS (or Daesh)‌ terrorists in Iraq and Syria saying, "By Allah almighty’s grace, every year the number of pilgrims attending "Arbaeen march" is increasing; This massive participation by Ahlulbayt (as) lovers is a sign of Allah almighty’s special attention to Imam Hussein (as) and his adherents."

Ayatollah Arafi added, "However, all this love and enthusiasm that we have witnessed in Arbaeen march during the recent years is only a drop in the vast ocean of spiritual and cultural blessings of this great Imam and his holy shrine in Karbala. As our scholars have said before, the spirituality of Imam Hussein (as) will always shine bright until the final Judgment Day."

Member of the Islamic seminary’s Supreme Council further emphasized the issue of Islamic unity as another major point in Arbaeen march; "Arbaeen pilgrimage has truly become a manifestation of unity and brotherhood within Muslim community so much that even followers of other religions have been drawn to it and attend the ceremony alongside Shia Muslims."