The Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the largest annual gatherings in the world, draws millions of people to Iraq each year - and this year, it came with the special theme of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. An event that remains largely unknown to many outside the region, the Arbaeen pilgrimage sees people walk from Najaf to Karbala - a journey steeped in history and faith to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain ibn Ali in Karbala, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the third Imam in Shia Islam. According to the BBC, during the 2023 pilgrimage, a staggering 25 million people took part - compared to the 2.5 million pilgrims who participated in the Hajj to Mecca. This makes Arbaeen the world's biggest annual pilgrimage event. Arbaeen, meaning "forty" in Arabic, was observed this year from the evening of Sunday, August 25, to Monday, August 26. Arbaeen also falls on the 20th day of Safar, the second month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It marks the end of a 40-day mourning period that begins with Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Besides Ashura, Arbaeen is also associated with Hussain. But who was he, and what is his story?
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