Thousands Attend Arbaeen March in Dearborn to Emphasize Standing Up for What’s Right
They ate, prayed and walked under a steady drizzle Sunday to honor a religious leader martyred more than 1,300 years ago after refusing to submit to a tyrant.
Dark clouds and rain didn't seem to damper the spirits of the thousands who participated in the 1.2-mile march from the Karbalaa Islamic Center on Warren Avenue to Ford Woods Park on Ford Road as part of Dearborn's 31st annual Arbaeen celebration.
Along Greenfield from Warren to Ford Road, dozens of tents were set up, staffed by volunteers who passed out bottles of water, candy and other food to passers-by.
The Arbaeen mourning ceremony, which falls on August 4 this year, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
It marks the 40th day after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (AS).
Each year, a huge crowd of Shias flock to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.
"We do this every year," said Hyder Al-Huri, owner of Halal Pizza in Dearborn, who donated 120 pizzas. "This is about honoring freedom and kindness. Our prophet taught us to be kind to everyone, no matter who they are."
Jafer Al-Shaheen, owner of Boss Hookah in Dearborn, said he donated about $5,000 worth of food.
"But it's not about the money," he said. "It's about standing up for what's right."
The Arbaeen gathering in Iraq is one of the world's largest assemblage of people. Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein banned the Arbaeen pilgrimage, although after his deposal in 2003, the event has grown, from about 2 million participants to 21 million last year.
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The event began in Dearborn in 2004, with attendance reportedly rising each year. Organizers traditionally hand out food to the marchers at the end of the parade route, although as the event has grown.
Following a ceremony and prayers at the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center on Warren, the procession began down Greenfield, with walkers carrying flags and other placards honoring Imam Hussein (AS). The procession ended at Ford Woods Park, where dozens of food tents were set up, offering corn on the cob, watermelon, and schwarma sandwiches.
At the north end of Ford Woods, a prayer rug was laid on the grass, with several men kneeling and praying, facing northeast toward Mecca.
"We're here for the glory of God and the message," said Mo Rida, who helped relatives pass out food under a tent in Ford Woods. "The message is for everyone to be treated with love and respect."
Smoked yogurt, lemonade and sno-cones were on the menu at Rida's tent.
"We have a group that volunteers — cousins, uncles," Rida said. "They donate thousands of dollars and a lot of time, but God compensates us. We look forward to this every year."
Source: detroitnews.com
