Millions converge on Karbala for Arbaeen pilgrimage amid scorching heat

Every year, Karbala in central Iraq becomes the focal point for over 20 million Shia Muslims who travel from across the globe to commemorate Arbaeen, the anniversary of Imam Hussein’s death. This year, participants faced temperatures above 110 °F, yet countless Iraqi and Iranian faithful trekked long distances on foot. The city’s streets and highways were transformed by weeks-long hospitality tents where volunteers handed out free dishes such as bean stew and grilled chicken, as well as water.

The atmosphere, while solemn, also carried a festive tone, with ubiquitous images of Imam Hussein and an increased presence of portraits of Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by the United States in February. Local residents opened their homes to shelter travelers, reinforcing a strong sense of communal solidarity that recurs each year.