Every year Imam Hussain's mauseloum is visited by more than 124 nationalities, where their common denominator is their love for the Prophet's grandson and his holy family. The rallying point is Iraq's various cities; primarily Najaf or Baghdad and the destination is the city of Karbala where the Ashura incident took place. The grave site of Imam Hussain and Abbas can be found in the center of Karbala.

​

Up to 20 million people gather for Arbaeen (the 40th day) after the Ashura tragedy to mark the mourning ceremony. The visitors from all corners of the world show their compassion and support for the Prophet's family by walking long distances of up to 90 kilometers spread over a few days with Karbala in sight.

​

The visitors proudly raise their country's flag and flaunt their national identity in order to illuminate the obvious love for the Prophet's family. They show their loyalty to the Prophet by mourning and remembering the prisoners of Karbala, their journey and sufferings from the then destination from Kufa to Damascus.

All over the world, several million Shia Muslims and freedom lovers mark the Arbaeen event year after year by walking a symbolic distance to commemorate this tragedy. This hostage taking took place without respect for even the most basic human rights of women and children and the hostages were treated in the most unethical manner that was not even common at the time in the Arabian Peninsula.

Arbaeen is an event in Shia Islam that marks the end of a 40-day mourning period after Ashura. Ashura is the tenth day of the month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar, when Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and his companions were killed in the Battle of Karbala in the year 680 AD.

​

Arbaeen falls on the 40th day after Ashura and is an important period for Shia Muslims. It is a time to remember and mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions. Arbaeen Day and its associated rituals often involve pilgrimages to the tomb of Imam Hussain in the city of Karbala in Iraq, where millions of believers gather to participate in processions, services and ceremonies.

​

​

After the Karbala battle, where Imam Hussain was killed by Yazid's army, the female companions and children of the martyrs were taken as hostages. They were led around the cities, chained, mocked and abused by Yazid's soldiers on their way back to the caliphate's headquarters in Damascus.

​

Imam Hussain's message of justice continued through his sister Zainab and his son, Imam Ali (al-Sajjad). They emphasized Yazid's corruption and exploitation of religion to oppress the people as well as his neglect of duties and responsibilities. They also pointed out his illegitimate assumption of the position of Prophet Muhammad's deputy. At Yazid's headquarters, Zainab and Ali (Al-Sajjad) gave speeches in which they publicly exposed Yazid's behavior and his injustices. They also highlighted his prioritization of personal desires over responsibilities as caliph, resulting in bloodshed and starvation. This humiliation led to the release of the hostages as fears of a new revolution in Damascus against the unjust regime grew.