Millions gather in Karbala as Arbaeen on climax

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: In commemoration of Arba’een, or the fortieth day after the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad (p)’s grandson, several million mourners from different parts of the globe are in the holy city of Karbala, home to the holy mausoleums of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) and Hazrat Abbas (p).

Arbaeen is being observed in Iraq on Sunday April 11. Aza Al-Husseini was on climax on Saturday making the atmosphere in Iraq particularly in this holy city of Karbala very grieved and mournful.

The mourners spend whole day and night before Arbaeen in mourning for Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) screaming in grief for Hussein (p) and floods of tears gushing out of eyes, extending condolences to the holy family of Chief of Prophets, Prophet Muhammad (p).

The importance of Arbaeen is highlighted by a saying of Al-Imam Al-Hasan Al-Askari (p) that there are five characteristics of a faithful and one of them is Ziarah of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) on the 40th day of his martyrdom.

On Arbaeen – the fortieth of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) and his 72 companions – last year after the ouster of Saddam about 10 million mourners descended on the holy city of Karbala, according to a British TV channel.

Specials meals are being cooked in giant pots to be distributed during the Arbaeen.

Iraqi police, whom the US-led forces had previously entrusted with keeping order during Arbaeen, were nowhere to be seen. Streets were being patrolled by Sadr's Mehdi Army and another group, the Badr Brigade, as well as local guards, some employed by the clerical authorities.

Iraq's US governor, Paul Bremer, has said the safety of the mourners cannot be guaranteed during Arbaeen.

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Arba’ein commemoration across the globe with veneration

TORONTO, Canada: Arba’ein-e-Husseini, or the fortieth day after the martyrdom of holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be on him & his pure progeny)’s grandson, Hazrat Imam Hussein (peace be on him) some 1,400 years ago for the survival and safety of Islam, is being observed across the world on Saturday and Sunday with due reverence and veneration.

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