The Arbaeen Walk is not only one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, but over time it has become a symbol of unity and solidarity among the Muslims of the world. The presence of pilgrims from different countries, including Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even American and European countries, shows the importance of this ceremony in strengthening international and religious relations. The Arbaeen walking route provides an opportunity for cultural interaction and exchange of experiences between Muslims of different cultures and nationalities.

The Arbaeen Walk, more than just a religious ritual

The Arbaeen walk, with all its spiritual, cultural, and social dimensions, has become a ceremony beyond a pilgrimage; A journey in which people establish a deeper connection not only with God and Ahl al-Bayt (AS), but also with each other. This huge walk every year displays the message of unity and solidarity in the Islamic world.

The most important effect of Arbaeen Walk is its political function. Today, the duty of Muslims all around is raising the cry for justice against arrogance and oppression. This year, the Arbaeen Walk was more important than in the past and a is symbol of the fight against Israel’s cruelty and inhumane crimes against the people of Gaza.

The presence of more than 20 million people participating in the march of Arbaeen Walk from Karbala to Najaf, despite illness, heat, etc., shows the unity of the Islamic world, and this unity has become more widespread in the Islamic world today.

What does the Arbaeen Walk teach the world

The Arbaeen Walk teaches that there are no rich and poor in Muslim society, and all humans are the same. It also teaches that the memory of the truth and the memory of martyrdom should be kept alive in the face of the enemy’s propaganda storm. Besides being religiously valuable, this Walk serves several purposes:

1.The Arbaeen Walk is a symbol of Shia geopolitical privilege. Geopolitics constitutes the three elements of geography, politics, and power, and actions and reactions of them. The result and value of this new geopolitics in the world and the world system, which is based on power, is a great capital that is both deterrent and progressive. The Arbaeen walk brings all these three elements before the eyes of the world. It introduces both the extent of the Shia presence in the world and the element of politics, which is manifested in the theory of Wilayat-e Faqih, and also shows the power of the Shia Muslims.

2. The Arbaeen Walk creates a competitive advantage. The existence of a large number of religious and motivated people in defending religion and its values and symbols is a unique source of power that cannot be imitated in any other way and its results can be used for the progress of interests and policies of the Islamic world. The Arbaeen Walk is a sign of unrivaled advantage and an expression of unlimited potential power among the Shia, which has created the ability to defend and counter any danger.

3. The Arbaeen Walk offers a model for a desirable human life to the world. In these few days of life, humans give up all their worldly belongings, and instead of harmful rivalries, brotherhood, empathy, and helping each other are valued. People are not in search of accumulating worldly wealth and everyone is trying to gain more spirituality. People love to serve each other, and even compete to help others. In fact, it can be said that the Arbaeen Walk gives people a new identity.

4. The Arbaeen Walk causes growth in socio-political knowledge and mindfulness. During the Arbaeen Walk, a considerable amount of information is exchanged in various political, cultural, and social fields, most of which is religious knowledge, which leads to an increase in the knowledge and awareness of the pilgrims. This function of the Arbaeen Walk is in line with the mission of Imam Hussain (pbuh) which is mentioned in the Arbaeen pilgrimage prayer, where it reads: “To free your servants from ignorance and misguidance.”

5. The Arbaeen Walk deepens spirituality. Islamic teachings place great value on collective rituals and worship as a way of achieving spirituality. Worshipping brings spirituality, but the worshipping that takes place collectively leads to spiritual synergy.

In the Arbaeen Walk, each of the participants has his/her solitude with God and a special spiritual experience; But this collective movement and observing all kinds of devotional and spiritual behaviors from others such as reciting prayers, mourning, benevolence, tolerating all kinds of difficulties such as heat and thirst and blisters on the feet deepen spirituality.