Hawzah News Agency- In exclusive interviews along the road to the holy shrine of Imam Hussain (AS), figures from multiple nations described the march not as a mere religious ritual, but as a living manifestation of sacrifice, brotherhood, love, service and steadfast resistance against oppression. Pilgrims from diverse countries stressed that Arbaeen has evolved into a global human phenomenon—one that dissolves all racial, linguistic and national boundaries.
Serving the Pilgrims Is the True Lesson of Karbala
A seminarian from the Islamic seminary of Najaf, originally from West Bengal, India, told Hawzah that he has been serving pilgrims for more than twenty days at the "Baqiyatullah" Mowkib, established by scholars and students from West Bengal residing in Najaf. "Serving the pilgrims is itself a great act of worship, and this is the true lesson of the school of Imam Hussain (AS)," he said. He stressed that when scholars and pilgrims see seminary students engaged in service, a popular, humble and positive image of the religious seminaries is projected to global public opinion.
'Imam Hussain Belongs to All of Humanity'
Mir Jafar Hussain, editor-in-chief of the "Sada-e-Hussaini" newspaper from Hyderabad Deccan, speaking from Mowkib 327, the "Caravan-e-Hind," said that although the Mowkib bears India's name, it hosts large numbers of pilgrims from Pakistan and other nations as well. "This proves that Imam Hussain (AS) does not belong to one nation or country; he is the Imam of all humanity," he declared.
He expressed deep regret at the performance of Western media, stating that the largest annual human gathering on earth—drawing over twenty million people—is largely ignored or distorted by many international outlets. "If anyone wishes to witness a true example of humanity, generosity, brotherhood and hospitality, they must see the unparalleled service of the Iraqi people, who have opened their homes, their tables and their hearts to the pilgrims," he said. He called on journalists, media activists and youth to convey the authentic message of Arbaeen to the world.
'A Spiritual Migration Toward the Ahl al-Bayt'
Hojatoleslam Kamal Ahmad Khan, a well-known preacher and orator from Mumbai, said: "We thank God for granting us the opportunity to set out toward Karbala." He described the journey as more than a physical march—it is a spiritual migration that distances one from sin and draws one closer to the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). "The presence of millions from across the world, all converging on a single destination, proves that Imam Hussain (AS) remains the axis of the hearts of the Islamic Ummah," he said. When one's destination is Karbala, he added, the hardships of the road become bearable—just as when life's goal is God's pleasure and walking in the path of Imam Mahdi (AS), worldly difficulties lose their weight.
'Return With a Treasure of Piety, Not Just Fatigue'
Hojatoleslam Musa Raza Naqvi, a Pakistani preacher based in Mashhad, Iran, said the Arbaeen journey is not merely about enduring physical hardship, but is a great school for spiritual training. He advised pilgrims to fill the path with remembrance of Prophet Muhammad and his purified progeny, to avoid vain talk and futile actions, and to deepen their heartfelt bond with the Master of Martyrs (AS). "We must not forget that the family of the Prophet (PBUH) traversed this very route under the most brutal conditions—hunger, thirst and unimaginable suffering," he said. Pilgrims, he urged, should return home carrying not only physical exhaustion but a treasure of piety, sincerity, knowledge and spirituality.
'Awakening, Revolution, and Readiness for the Imam of Our Time'
Hojatoleslam Ahmad Tharallahi, a preacher from Tehran, said Arbaeen is a global spiritual movement that deepens love for the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and recognition of Imam Hussain (AS) in the hearts of people. A spirit of spiritual, intellectual and revolutionary awakening, he noted, is clearly visible among pilgrims from different nations. "The faces of the marchers seem to declare that had they been present on the Day of Ashura, they would not have hesitated to stand with Imam Hussain (AS)—they embody the meaning of 'Would that we had been with you,'" he said. Love for Imam Hussain (AS), he added, draws one closer to Wilayah, to truth, and to readiness for the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (AS).
'A Divine Movement for the Oppressed of the World'
Hojatoleslam Seyyed Morteza Hossein Afghani from Afghanistan described Arbaeen as a divine movement that brings together the oppressed of the world, the truth-seekers, and the lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) along a single path and toward a single goal. He said the Najaf-Karbala march strengthens faith, patience, sincerity and the bond between the believer and Wilayah. "The most important message of Arbaeen is the reinforcement of Islamic unity, brotherhood and service to humanity," he stated. The presence of millions from different languages, nations and countries is the greatest proof that the movement of Imam Hussain (AS) carries a message of hope, freedom, truth and justice for all of humankind. He urged pilgrims to use this spiritual journey as an opportunity for moral and spiritual self-refinement, to implement the goals of Imam Hussain (AS) in their practical lives, and after returning from Karbala, to play an active role in spreading love, justice, unity and service in their own societies.
A Converging Voice: One Ummah Under the Banner of Hussain
All figures who spoke to Hawzah News Agency echoed a single conviction: Arbaeen is no mere religious ceremony. It is a global message of love, service, unity, sacrifice and standing firm against tyranny for all of humanity. They declared that the million-strong march from Najaf to Karbala teaches the world that when the goal is divine, the barriers of language, race, nationality and geography fade away, and human beings gather under the banner of Imam Hussain (AS) as a single Ummah. They expressed hope that this monumental movement will continue to play its role in spreading truth, justice, freedom, human values and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) across the world, its message reaching the ears of humanity with ever-greater force each year.
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