Be the Media for Arbaeen
This is according to Iranian scholar Professor Mohammad Fanaei Eshkevari, who wrote in an article that there is an urgent need for truth-seekers in the world to promote Arbaeen and the teachings of Imam Hussein (AS).
The article is as follows:
Mohammad Fanaei Eshkevari
The Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the largest and most extraordinary human gatherings in modern history, draws millions—sometimes exceeding 20 million—Shia Muslims and devotees of Imam Hussein (AS) from diverse nations. This awe-inspiring event is a powerful symbol of love, sacrifice, unity, and spirituality, standing vibrant and resolute in the 21st century against a backdrop of a materialistic and secular world. Yet, major global media outlets, particularly Western and some Arab media, deliberately ignore or minimally cover this monumental event, while eagerly amplifying far smaller and less significant occurrences with great fanfare.
Why the Global Media Ignores the Arbaeen Pilgrimage
Western media, often swayed by Islamophobic agendas and the interests of imperialist powers, dedicate their energy to portraying Muslims as violent, terrifying, and uncivilized. They shy away from showcasing the Arbaeen pilgrimage because it presents a radically different and positive image of Islam: millions of people united in love and devotion, displaying unparalleled brotherhood and humane behavior, driven by spiritual and justice-seeking motivations that create this magnificent spectacle.
Arbaeen is a revival of faith and spirituality, particularly a faith that stands against oppression, tyranny, and injustice while championing transformation and justice—values that the secular, materialistic world fears and resists. During Arbaeen, the humane conduct of Shia Muslims shines brightly: extraordinary hospitality, selfless generosity, and tables spread for millions of pilgrims over 20 days, not backed by governments or corporations but by ordinary, often poor or middle-class people. This reflects profound human values—love, compassion, brotherhood, and empathy—that imperialist media outlets are loath to let the world see, as it dismantles their negative propaganda against Muslims.
Arbaeen is a symbol of immense power: the unity of millions from diverse nations, men and women alike, capable of sparking transformative change globally. Western media refuse to acknowledge or highlight this power, fearing it could draw countless hearts toward Islam and Shia teachings, undermining their Islamophobic narratives. Another reason for their silence is the event’s peaceful nature; media often chase violence and conflict, as “peace doesn’t make headlines,” yet Arbaeen stands as the world’s largest peaceful gathering.
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As for some Arab and Muslim media, beyond their alignment with Western powers, sectarian and ethnic biases play a significant role in their silence. These outlets often view Arbaeen as a Shia-centric event that highlights the strength of Shia Muslims, and they join the media blackout to curb the growing cultural and spiritual influence of Shiism. This deliberate omission aims to prevent the world from embracing the true essence of Islam and to preserve a negative narrative.
The Urgent Need for Truth-Seekers to Amplify Arbaeen
In the face of this silence and blackout, it is the duty of truth-seekers to become the media themselves. We cannot rely on mainstream outlets; instead, we must, to the best of our ability, share the philosophy of Arbaeen: a commemoration of Imam Hussein’s (AS) uprising against oppression, rooted in justice, freedom, peace, and resistance to tyranny. Its outcomes include strengthening Muslim unity, reviving human values, and fostering spiritual and justice-driven transformations worldwide. The unique features of Arbaeen—such as its unparalleled hospitality, voluntary security, and diverse global participation—and its beauties, like the fervor of devotion and selflessness, must be showcased to the world.
This media effort is crucial for several reasons:
Countering Islamophobia: Promoting Arbaeen reveals the true face of Islam, dismantling negative propaganda.
Winning Hearts: Millions worldwide may be inspired by this event to join the ranks of truth-seekers and justice advocates, sparking positive global change.
Preserving Imam Hussein’s Legacy: Arbaeen is a powerful medium for Islam, and we are tasked with globalizing it, especially in international spaces and in various languages.
Building Soft Power: Through social media, videos, photos, and articles, we can highlight this immense power and leverage it for global justice.
Everyone, to the extent of their ability, has a responsibility: from posting on social media to creating, translating, and sharing content beyond borders. We must not tire in revealing Arbaeen’s beauty to the world, awaiting hopeful transformations. “Is not the dawn near?”
