Ayatollah Sayed Yassin al-Mousavi said the unprecedented attendance of millions of people in the Arbaeen pilgrimage has made this ceremony an exceptional phenomenon among the world's religious gatherings.

It shows that this huge gathering is a manifestation of the power of Islam and a factor in confronting fear, despair, and the spirit of defeat in the face of arrogance, he stated.

More than 22 million pilgrims have entered the city of Karbala for Arbaeen, and the number of people who have not been able to enter the city due to heavy crowds is estimated to be several times this number, he noted.  

Ayatollah al-Mousavi said this ceremony has also attracted the attention of non-Muslims, “not only because of the hospitality, generosity, and extensive services to the pilgrims, but also because of the obvious change in people’s behavior.”

He said an Iraqi who may easily get angry in everyday life becomes calm, patient and smiling during Arbaeen and serves pilgrims despite the hardships of the journey and fatigue.

Ayatollah Mousavi continued, “People who are cautious about spending in normal life eagerly spend their money to serve pilgrims during Arbaeen and feel happy about it.”

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He said this widespread generosity stems from the sacrifice of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), noting that Imam Hussein (AS) offered his life, his family, and even his infant child in the way of God.

“The love for Hussein (peace be upon him) is rooted in the deepest layers of our being, and no matter how much an Iraqi spends for Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), he still feels indebted to that Imam.”

 The Arbaeen mourning ceremony, which fell 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.

The pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to the holy city.

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