RNA – The Supreme Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, who was addressing a group of Iranian clerics during a post-jurisprudence course on Monday, described Arba’in as a “lasting privilege,” which marks 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, the third Shia Imam, who is the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
The Leader has said that the massive turnout of people from around the world and Iran in the march toward Karbala is a manifestation of the prominent features of the school of Prophet Mohammad’s Household.
“The combination of devotion and faith and wisdom and affection is among the unique features of the school of Prophet Mohammad’s Household,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Imam Husayn and 72 of his loyal companions, including family members, were martyred on Ashura, the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram, in the battle of Karbala against the second Umayyad caliph, Yazid I, in 680 A.D. Imam Husayn was killed after he refused to pledge allegiance to the tyrant ruler.
According to Press TV correspondent in Karbala, Altaf Ahmad, black-clad mourners from various countries including Iran, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and India, are traveling to Karbala not only to mark the occasion but also to reaffirm their allegiance to Imam Husayn.
Five million of these pilgrims are estimated to be coming from Iran.
The pilgrims, among them Sunni Muslims and Christians, showed their commitment to Imam Husayn by walking tens of miles barefoot to reach his shrine.
The picture taken on November 30, 2015 shows pilgrims marching to Karbala for the Arba’in ceremony marking the end of the forty day mourning period following the anniversary of the 7th century martyrdom of Imam Husayn, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
Iraqi forces have tightened security to protect pilgrims against possible terrorist attacks ahead of the mourning rituals, which falls on December 2 this year.
The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by gruesome violence ever since ISIL terrorists began their campaign of terror in the country in June 2014. Army soldiers and Popular Mobilization units have joined forces and are seeking to take back militant-held regions in joint operations.
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