KARBALA, Iraq – August 15, 2025 — The Iraqi city of Karbala has hosted one of the world’s largest peaceful gatherings, as over 21 million pilgrims concluded the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage. Commemorating the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, the event was marked by a significant display of interfaith harmony, with Muslims of various sects, Christians, and followers of other faiths participating.
This year’s pilgrimage saw a vast international turnout. Devotees traveled from dozens of countries, including Iran, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, the United States, and nations across Africa and Asia, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, to take part in the symbolic walk.
In a remarkable demonstration of solidarity, large numbers of Sunni Muslims and Christians joined the majority Shiite pilgrims on the walk toward the holy shrine of Imam Hussein. This convergence transformed the religious observance into a broader symbol of universal compassion, peaceful coexistence, and shared human values.
A defining feature of the pilgrimage is the journey itself, with many walking the 80-kilometer route from the holy city of Najaf to Karbala. Along the way, thousands of volunteer-run stalls, known as ‘Mawkibs,’ provided pilgrims with free food, water, medical services, and places to rest, embodying a deep-rooted Iraqi tradition of hospitality and communal support.
