The Albain Walk is a major annual pilgrimage to Shia Islam and is a commemoration of 40 days after the martial day of Hussein Ibn Ali, the third Shia imam. The event takes place 40 days after Ashura, the day Imam Hussein (AS) taught during the Battle of Karbara in 680 AD.
Every year, millions of pilgrims often take on the journey, which spans approximately 80km (about 50 miles) from Najaf to Karbara in Iraq.
This walk serves as a deep expression of their commitment to principles supported by Imam Hussein, such as resistance to justice and oppression.
The Holy City of Najaf
Najaf or Al-Najf al-Ashraf (Arabic: النَّج Eyes) (the majestic Najaf) is the Shia pilgrimage city of Iraq, home to the sacred shrine (a).
The city was a residential area before the advent of Islam, but after the construction of the Imam Ali spirits and shrines in the second century, it became a prosperous city where many Shiites migrated.
The Islamic Seminary in Najaf is one of the oldest Islamic Seminary. According to historical accounts, it was founded in the 5th century by Al-Shayf al-Tusi.
Many scholars and jurists have studied it, including Al-Shaykh Murtada Al-Ansari, Muhammad Kazim Akhund Khurasani, Sayyid Muhammad Kazim Tabataba’i Yazdi, Sayyid Muhsin Hakim, Al-sayyid Abu l-qasim al-khid ” yazdi, Sayyid Muhammad Kazim Tabataba’i Yazdi, Al-Shaykh Murtada al-Ansari, and Al-Shammad Kazim Akhund Khurasani.
Najaf is located 165 km southwest of Baghdad, 77 km southeast of Khalbara and 10 km south of Kfa. Before the establishment of Najaf in 1976, Najaf city was part of Karbara state.
Najaf atmosphere during Aaaain
A large crowd of Shia Muslims begin their journey to Mark Albaian 40 days after the anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), where the shrine (AS) of Imam Ali (AS) in Najaf, Iraq, is located.
Najaf is filled with pilgrims flocked to the world from various parts of the world. Locals set up stalls and served visitors sweet drinks, fruits and snacks.
Kalbara; The Final Destination of the Journey of Love
After visiting the sacred temple of the first Shiite Imam, the pilgrims head to the sacred city of Karbara to visit the shrine of Imam Hossein (AS).
Kalbara is one of Iraq’s pilgrimage cities and is frequently visited by Shia. For Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal fellow martians of this place in 61/680, it became so.
Shia from all over the world come to the city on various occasions to make a visit to Imam Hussein (AS). The peak number of visitors is during the months of Muharam and Safa mourning, especially in the procession of Aabain.
Kalbara is the final destination of the Irvine Walk. Millions of enthusiastic lovers walk seamlessly and incredibly from one sacred city to another, day and night, in a demonstration of immense love and dedication to their beloved, valiantly going to the threat of inclement weather and sinister security.
Arbaeen Walk; Movement for Mankind
Arbaeen Walk is an effort to keep Kalbara’s movement alive to convey a bloody message to future generations.
It is a move towards terrorism, fascism, and tyranny. It is a movement that seeks to protect and promote the human values of love and compassion, and condemn the prejudice, tyranny, and the exploitation of powerful elites.
It is a human movement, and its appeal is reduced beyond barriers of religion, caste, colour and belief. This is exactly why non-sias or even non-Muslims join this biggest march on the planet.
Reported and edited by Marzieh Rahmani