Arbaeen is the world's largest gathering, larger than the annual Hajj, and commemorates the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad and the third Shia Imam, Husayn ibn Ali's in 680.
It occurs every year in Iraq at the Karbala Mosque following the 40-day mourning period after the religious holiday, Ashura.
Millions of Shia converge on Kerbala during the commemoration. According to the Independent, they walk in columns that often stretch over 50 miles and sleep and eat in tents erected along the route.
Alex Shams, an Iranian American and Ph.D. student of anthropology, recently returned from Arbaeen and tweeted an explanation of Arbaeen and many excellent images.
Shams describes a 50-mile long food festival with falafel, beans, eggs, fried fish, mutton stew, and many other foods.
He notes the wide variety of countries at Arbaeen. In addition to Iraqis and Iranians, he saw Pakistanis, Indians, Azerbaijanis, Afghans, Nigerians, Lebanese, Saudis, Turks, Bahrainis, Kuwaitis, Qataris, and many more.
Shams says that while Arbaeen is a pilgrimage for Imam Hossein, it is also a challenge to ISIS today.
And he saw many different Muslim rituals. It's a fascinating tour!
It occurs every year in Iraq at the Karbala Mosque following the 40-day mourning period after the religious holiday, Ashura.
Millions of Shia converge on Kerbala during the commemoration. According to the Independent, they walk in columns that often stretch over 50 miles and sleep and eat in tents erected along the route.
Alex Shams, an Iranian American and Ph.D. student of anthropology, recently returned from Arbaeen and tweeted an explanation of Arbaeen and many excellent images.
Shams describes a 50-mile long food festival with falafel, beans, eggs, fried fish, mutton stew, and many other foods.
He notes the wide variety of countries at Arbaeen. In addition to Iraqis and Iranians, he saw Pakistanis, Indians, Azerbaijanis, Afghans, Nigerians, Lebanese, Saudis, Turks, Bahrainis, Kuwaitis, Qataris, and many more.
Shams says that while Arbaeen is a pilgrimage for Imam Hossein, it is also a challenge to ISIS today.
And he saw many different Muslim rituals. It's a fascinating tour!
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