Arbaeen at Boston Common

Let me start with an attempt to throw some light on Arabeen, a very solemn occasion.

Arba’een is a Shia Muslim religious observance that occurs forty days after the Day of Ashura. It commemorates the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who was killed on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram.

During Arba’een, millions of Shia Muslims, as well as Sunni Muslims, Christians, and people of other faiths, make a pilgrimage to the city of Karbala in Iraq, where Hussein ibn Ali’s tomb is located. They participate in mourning rituals and listen to sermons about the life and sacrifice of Hussein and his family. The pilgrimage is considered one of the largest annual public gatherings in the world. This year the estimated congregation was of nearly 21 million pilgrims.

The journey to Karbala is often undertaken on foot. Pilgrims walk for many miles, sometimes covering hundreds of kilometers, to reach Karbala. The routes taken by the pilgrims can vary depending on their starting locations, common ones are: :

1. Najaf to Karbala: Many pilgrims start their journey from the city of Najaf, which is home to the shrine of Imam Ali, the first Shia Imam. They walk approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Najaf to Karbala.

2. Basra to Karbala: Some pilgrims begin their journey from the southern city of Basra, which is located farther away from Karbala. They walk a considerably longer distance, covering around 500 kilometers (310 miles) to reach Karbala.

3. Baghdad to Karbala: Pilgrims from the capital city of Baghdad also undertake the journey to Karbala, which is approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) away. They join the procession and walk alongside other pilgrims.

These routes are just a few examples, and there are pilgrims who travel from various other cities and regions to reach Karbala during Arbaeen. The pilgrimage is a physically and spiritually demanding experience, with pilgrims enduring hardships and demonstrating their devotion to Imam Hussein.

In downtown, Boston Common Park is a prominent landmark, both historically and for vistors to the city. This year the Shia community decided to hold the Arabeen procession in this beautiful Park.

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Elsewhere in the Park at the same time a lone devotee beseeching his followers to follow the path shown by Jesus Christ (PBUH). A country where the followers of all religions practise and preach their religion peacefully and freely.

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Labaaik Ya Hussain!