Millions of Shiite pilgrims participate in Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq, show support for Gaza

More than 21 million Shia Muslims participated in Arbaeen pilgrims in Iraq this year, as per Associated Foreign Press. This year has marked the 40th day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and a founding figure of Islam. According to AFP , the number of pilgrims reached were 21,480525 this year. According to official figures reported in Tehran, among them were about 3.5 million Iranian pilgrims.
Attendees converged on Sunday exhibiting their support for Gaza. Arbaeen, which means 40 in Arabic is known as world's biggest religious gatherings and a significant event for Shia Muslims, who are majority in Iraq and Iran.
This year, amid the ongoing war in Gaza, pilgrims have prominently displayed Palestinian flags during events.
Mohammed al-Tamimi, a 32-year-old pilgrim, told the AFP news agency that the Palestinian flags waving among the pilgrims were “in support of our brothers in Palestine and in response to the Zionists, saying that Muslims stand as one against the Zionist actions and against the crimes taking place in Gaza”.
Since October, Israel had killed more than 40,000 pilgrims. An estimated 1,139 people were killed during a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7.
The incident took place in the southern region of Israel. Hamas, a militant group, orchestrated the attack leading to significant casualties. The attack marked a severe escalation in violence in the area.
This tragic event has left a deep impact on the local communities and has intensified the ongoing conflict in the region.
The Arbaeen celebrations last year attracted about 22 million pilgrims, with the highest number of foreign visitors coming from Iran. Heightened security measures ensured the safety of the event.
Official figures report that around 22 million people participated in the Arbaeen celebrations. Among the millions, Iran contributed significantly with 4 million of the foreign attendees.
Security remained a top priority during the celebrations, reflecting the significant measures taken each year to protect the pilgrims.
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