The annual Arbaeen pilgrimage took place in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala on Tuesday, drawing millions of Shiite Muslim worshippers from across the region and internationally. The observance, held 40 days after Ashoura, commemorates the killing of Imam Hussein and his family members in 680 A.D. According to Iraqi armed forces operations command, more than 4.88 million pilgrims had entered the country since the start of the Islamic month of Muharram, with arrivals continuing from various nations. Millions of additional pilgrims from different regions of Iraq also converged on Karbala for the religious occasion.
The gathering occurred against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in the region and significant economic challenges facing Iraq. The country has maintained a delicate diplomatic balance between Washington and Tehran while seeking to avoid deeper involvement in the broader conflict. Among notable attendees was Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, whose presence underscored the complex political dynamics surrounding the pilgrimage. Observers noted that while Iranian pilgrims arrived in substantial numbers, participation from European, Arab, and other Islamic nations appeared reduced compared to previous years, a decline attributed by pilgrims to the regional security situation.
Volunteer organizations established along the routes to Karbala provided essential services including food, water, and medical care to travelers. Meanwhile, Iraq faces significant economic pressures stemming from regional developments and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted oil exports critical to state revenues. Additionally, Baghdad is undertaking the challenging task of disarming the country’s militia networks, many with Iranian backing. One prominent Iran-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah, reiterated its rejection of disarmament calls.
In Iran, Shiites unable to attend the Karbala pilgrimage held their own observances, particularly in the capital Tehran, where rallies included calls for retaliation against specific international actions and anti-American and anti-Israeli demonstrations.
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