RNA – In an interview with Rasa News Agency, Hujjat al-Islam Ali al-Kourani said that the Arba’in pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Imam Husayn in the Iraqi city of Karbala is one of the most important phenomena in the modern world and said, “Several research centres and universities around the world have discussed and studied this remarkable phenomenon.”
The Lebanese Shi’ah cleric explained that without doubt, today this pilgrimage is under the microscope of the major think tanks of the world because unlike other phenomena in the world, the numbers of pilgrims to the Holy Shrine of Imam Husayn have increased every year and this event has been transformed into transboundary event which has attracted the attention of various nations, ethnic groups and religions.
He added that it has been narrated by the Imams that pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Husayn should be transformed into an event which paves the way for the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi.
Hujjat al-Islam al-Kourani noted that the Arba’in pilgrimage has many dimensions, including political, social and cultural dimensions and said, “This pilgrimage is an honour for Shi’ahs and it has the ability to strengthen Islamic unity and can be turned into an distinguished model on the basis that Muslims should be united by their love of the Ahlul-Bayt. We must present this model of Islam to the world so that the people of the world come to us and adhere to this Islamic pilgrimage.”
His Eminence insisted that shouldn’t view the Arba’in pilgrimage as a political project and explained that the pilgrimage is a great and popular movement that was formed by the people themselves. “For many years, certain parties have attempted to introduce partisan and political issues into the pilgrimage, but all efforts have failed. The Arba’in pilgrimage has a completely independent essence which is actually a manifestation of the nature of Shi’ah Islam,” he added.
In conclusion, Hujjat al-Islam al-Kourani said, “The Arba’in pilgrimage is a large gathering which stands against Takfiri groups and a frontline for this criminal phenomenon. Every year, this event occurs despite the threat of terrorism and this fact demonstrates that the people believe in its divine ideals and are willing to sacrifice their lives and property to participate in the pilgrimage.”
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