Greetings from Karbala, Iraq, where millions gathered for a Shia pilgrimage
Millions of Shia Muslims gathered in Karbala, Iraq, for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage to commemorate the death of Imam Hussein. Despite extreme heat, the event is characterized by a strong sense of community and widespread volunteer-led hospitality.
Why it matters
Arbaeen is one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, serving as a critical cultural and spiritual event for the Shia Muslim community.
Jane Arraf/NPR Hello from Karbala in central Iraq. Every year, more than 20 million Shia Muslims gather in this small city to commemorate Arbaeen, which took place earlier this month. It marks the killing of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, 14 centuries ago, a defining moment in Shia Islam.
Pilgrims fly into Iraq from all over the world. The temperature is more than 110 degrees in August but many Iraqi and Iranian pilgrims walk for hundreds of miles to mark the sorrowful event. Outside the shrines, though, the atmosphere is almost festive.
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