Arbaeen: A spiritual journey that transcends time, religion, and race

There are unique religious symbols that serve as unbreakable bonds uniting their adherents to form cohesive communities comprised of various ethnicities and cultures.
The tragic saga of Imam Hussain’s heroic martyrdom and the Arabaeen procession are two of the most prominent religious events that have become the world’s greatest uniting assemblies.
The Arbaeen annual march has attracted millions of people from all over the globe, inspired by the lofty objectives of Imam Hussain and his heavenly and sublime character. As a matter of fact, the pilgrims who attend the Arbaeen procession are of diverse socioeconomic, ideological, and political leanings.
By trekking hundreds of kilometres along the dusty roads leading to Karbala, Muslims and non-Muslims demonstrate their unity in the quest for genuine freedom and ultimate truth.
Today, the Arbaeen procession has evolved into a defining moment where millions of devotees are bound together without the slightest trouble to pay homage to the egalitarian ideology and unmatched worldview of Imam Hussain, who is overwhelmingly regarded as the paragon of all divine virtues, such as resistance to tyrants and perseverance in the face of the world’s tribulations.
Nonetheless, throughout this spiritual journey, they only consider Imam Hussain’s mesmerizing magnificence and his enduring objectives of seeking justice, freedom, and struggle against political oppression.
The Arbaeen march is a rite imbued with a collective sense of brotherhood, fidelity, and compassion, as it gradually expands into a large outpouring of rage against the modern enemies of the household of the Prophet Muhammad [PBUT].
The spiritual influence of Ashura and Arbaeen and their philosophy of sacrifice, charity, and martyrdom transcends geography, languages, and ethnicities.
The Arbaeen congregation demonstrated to the world that Imam Hussain’s immortal legacy belongs to all humanity, particularly oppressed nations, and that the passage of time does not cause his divinely-guided revolt to fade into oblivion; rather, every year, the world gains a deeper appreciation of Imam Hussain’s everlasting sacrifice.
Moreover, the Arbaeen, the demonstration of devotion to Imam Hussain from different faiths and sects, has political, religious, and social implications and reminds us that Imam Hussain wants us to gather in one place, regardless of race, culture, or religious affiliation, to unite together in the holy city of Karbala.