Arbaeen: A Powerful Symbol of Resistance and Sociopolitical Unity

Arbaeen, a significant pilgrimage observed by millions, is often overlooked by those outside the region. While scrolling through headlines about West Asia, one may encounter striking images of massive crowds heading towards Iraqi cities, and these scenes evoke a mix of amazement, curiosity, and skepticism. Behind this enormous mobilization lies a deep-rooted social and political reality that deserves attention.

Arbaeen, which translates to “forty” in Arabic, commemorates the fortieth day following Ashura, the day when Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was martyred during the Battle of Karbala over 1,400 years ago. This pilgrimage serves as a remembrance of the battle’s survivors, particularly the women and children of Hussein’s family, who returned to Karbala to mourn their loss. Their journey was not just a ritual of grief, but also a powerful act of defiance, ensuring that the truth of Karbala would not be forgotten.

Historically, the pilgrimage has faced significant repression. During the Umayyad and Abbasid eras, pilgrims had to travel covertly, utilizing hidden paths to avoid persecution. Under Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime, the pilgrimage was met with violent suppression, with many pilgrims arrested, tortured, or even killed. Nevertheless, countless individuals continued to undertake the journey in secrecy.

Following the fall of Saddam in 2003, Arbaeen witnessed a remarkable revival. The number of pilgrims surged from just two to three million in the early years to an astounding participation of approximately 20 million in 2014, making Arbaeen one of the largest annual gatherings in the world. This event even surpassed the Hajj, which is obligatory but smaller in scale, and is second only to the Hindu Kumbh Mela, held once every three years.

Unlike the Hajj, Arbaeen is a voluntary pilgrimage. Millions willingly walk substantial distances to reach Karbala, with the most popular route extending about 80 kilometers from Najaf. The journey typically takes about three days on foot. Along the way, countless volunteers provide food, shelter, and medical care—all free of charge. This spirit of generosity is a defining characteristic of Arbaeen, showcasing profound communal solidarity.

Despite its revival and unprecedented growth, the Arbaeen pilgrimage continues to face censorship, particularly from imperialist powers and mainstream media, which often distort or overlook its significance. Some portrayals frame Arbaeen as extremist or politically subversive, attempting to undermine what has evolved into a robust symbol of unity, identity, and resistance for Muslims worldwide.

Arbaeen transcends mere religious observance; it serves as a powerful method for processing grief and injustice. Anthropologists have noted that collective rituals can transmit values, build solidarity, and resist oppression, and Arbaeen exemplifies this dynamic. It embodies the perseverance of a people who have faced repeated attempts to erase their memory, faith, and culture.

The pilgrimage also carries significant political implications. Arbaeen symbolizes defiance against global imperialism and colonialism, which have historically stripped many Muslim nations of their sovereignty, freedom, and voice. The U.S. occupation of Iraq, akin to the Israeli occupation of Palestine, involved not just military might but also a cultural assault.

For decades, Palestinian resistance has been misrepresented in Western media as synonymous with terrorism. Similarly, the identity and dignity of the Iraqi populace have been undermined through dehumanizing portrayals. The staggering loss of over 300,000 Iraqi civilians during the U.S. war was largely ignored or rationalized, and the Arab Muslim identity was reduced to harmful stereotypes.

This cultural conditioning has enabled atrocities, including the use of uranium-based weapons, torture at Abu Ghraib, and illegal detentions at Guantanamo. Political leaders have contributed to this narrative, with figures like George W. Bush characterizing Muslims as irrational enemies of American values.

Such narratives have laid the groundwork for systemic violence and continue to shape public perception. In contrast, Arbaeen challenges these misconceptions. Despite decades of warfare and underdevelopment in Muslim nations—often due to external intervention—millions unite to create a self-sustaining pilgrimage environment. An extensive network of volunteers provides security, food, shelter, transportation, and hygiene for over 20 million participants, remarkably with no reported casualties.

Additionally, the stereotype of Muslim societies as oppressive towards women is debunked along the Arbaeen route. Women are present in large numbers, actively participating in the pilgrimage as walkers, volunteers, and recipients of equal hospitality. Dedicated spaces ensure their comfort and safety, directly contradicting the Western narrative that suggests veiled women are excluded from public life.

Arbaeen also dismantles racial and ethnic barriers. While racial inequality remains a challenge in Western societies, the pilgrimage fosters a vision of unity that transcends national, sectarian, and racial divides. A striking image captures Nigerian cleric Sheikh Zakzaky leading prayers in a tent hosted by Sunni Palestinian scholars, surrounded by Muslims from diverse backgrounds.

In today’s geopolitical landscape, where alliances like the Trump-Netanyahu axis aim to reshape borders and suppress Muslim identity, Arbaeen emerges as a formidable counterforce. It is a space where the oppressed can voice their concerns, serving not only as a commemoration but also as a social and political statement of collective defiance against marginalization.

In recent years, participation in Arbaeen has surged to an estimated 25 million pilgrims, all journeying to Karbala from Iraq and beyond. These individuals chant the same slogans, pray with a unified vision, and recommit themselves to a shared cause—one that imperialist propaganda seeks to divide and erase.

Arbaeen represents resilience and a bold rejection of externally imposed narratives. Local and regional efforts to sustain and enhance the pilgrimage underscore its profound strategic importance. It must be protected, not only as a religious event but as a vital platform for resistance, solidarity, and hope. This year, as in 2024, Gaza emerged as a central theme, with processions carrying placards, banners, and chants advocating for an end to occupation and oppression while denouncing the Israeli regime’s ongoing war crimes.

In an increasingly divided and surveilled world, Arbaeen provides a rare opportunity: a public space where millions can gather peacefully to reaffirm their values, identity, and unwavering commitment to resist injustice.