Traversing a 360 dimeters journey
Pilgrims march through Al-Muthanna desert for Arbaeen
AL-MUTHANNA – Carrying black, green, and red banners inscribed with Shia beliefs, hundreds of pilgrims marched through the Al-Muthanna desert in southern Iraq, marking the start of their Arbaeen journey.
The procession began in the district of Salman, with participants heading toward Karbala to join the Arbaeen mourning ceremonies. Religious music blared from speakers mounted on vehicles, energizing the marchers as they waved their flags.
The pilgrims, including both men and women, will traverse 160 kilometers of desert terrain on foot to reach the city of Samawah.
“We will camp in the area of Al-Umayd, 60 kilometers away from Salman, before continuing our journey to Samawah,” said Hamid Hashim, one of the participants. “The trip is expected to take three days, and after a short rest, we will continue walking to Karbala.”
Arbaeen, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, commemorates the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Each year, millions of Shia Muslims from Iraq and beyond travel to Karbala to visit Imam Hussein’s shrine.
After resting briefly in Samawah, the pilgrims will resume their journey, covering an additional distance of over 200 kilometers to reach Karbala. Unlike other pilgrims, the residents of Salman must walk during the day, enduring intense heat to avoid the dangers of the desert at night.
Rest stops along the route provide food, water, and tents for the pilgrims, with security patrols accompanying the march to ensure their safety.
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