Hawzah News Agency- Ayatollah Arafi embarked on an intensive, tightly scheduled walk as part of the annual procession, which draws millions of devotees from across the globe to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the grandson of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). During his journey, he visited a series of "Mawakib"—the sprawling roadside tents and service stations—run by both Iranian and Iraqi benefactors that provide free food, medical care, and shelter to the pilgrims trekking under the scorching sun.
In statements made along the route, the senior scholar not only lauded the logistical and spiritual efforts of the organizers but also drew a direct line between the Arbaeen pilgrimage and the contemporary struggles of the Muslim world. He expressed profound gratitude for the "legendary hospitality and boundless generosity" of Iraqi tribes and clans, describing their service as a living embodiment of Islamic chivalry.
Ayatollah Arafi paid special tribute to the Iraqi people for what he termed their "historic and heroic participation" in the funeral of the martyred commander, referencing the massive turnout that honored Iran’s General Qassem Soleimani and Iraq’s Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who were assassinated by the United States in Baghdad in 2020. He said the funeral processions demonstrated an unbreakable bond between the two neighboring nations forged in blood and faith.
Furthermore, the cleric extended his deep appreciation to the supreme religious authority (Marjaiyyat) in Najaf, its distinguished scholars, and the dedicated efforts of Iraqi government officials who work tirelessly to secure this unmatched spiritual gathering despite immense security and logistical challenges.
The visit comes amid a charged regional atmosphere, with the Palestinian cause weighing heavily on the hearts of the pilgrims. Ayatollah Arafi is scheduled to hold high-level talks with top Shia Marjas and prominent intellectual figures in the holy city of Najaf. According to the program, he will address a major gathering titled "Nidaa al-Aqsa" (The Call of Al-Aqsa) in Karbala, a conference dedicated to expressing solidarity with the Palestinian resistance and condemning the ongoing Israeli atrocities in Gaza. He is also expected to attend a special ceremony honoring the commanders of Iraqi tribes, clan sheikhs, eulogists, and poets who keep the message of Ashura alive through their art and leadership.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage, often described as the world’s largest annual peaceful gathering, has become a potent symbol of Shia identity and political solidarity, operating as a massive display of soft power that transcends borders and underscores the mobilizing power of faith against oppression.
Your Comment