DID Press: More than 21 million pilgrims converged on the holy city of Karbala this week to observe Arbaeen, one of the world’s largest annual religious events, according to figures released by the Holy Abbas (PBUH) Shrine.
Arbaeen commemorates the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), revered by Shia Muslims for his stand against oppression during the 7th-century Battle of Karbala. Organizers reported a record attendance of 21,103,524 participants, marking a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Pilgrims—many of whom traveled on foot from across Iraq and abroad—undertook the long journey to reach the shrines of Imam Hussain and his brother, Abbas ibn Ali. The annual procession has grown into a powerful global symbol of faith, resilience, and solidarity within the Shia Muslim community.
To accommodate the unprecedented influx, authorities and volunteers established thousands of service centers, or mawakib, providing free food, water, and rest facilities. Medical teams, security personnel, and local residents coordinated efforts to safeguard the well-being of visitors throughout the commemoration.
Despite the event’s international scale, restrictions in Afghanistan prevented pilgrims from from participating this year.
Over recent decades, the Arbaeen pilgrimage has steadily expanded, attracting millions from the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond. Religious scholars and observers frequently describe it as not only a profound expression of devotion but also one of the most significant mass gatherings in the modern world.