19/08/2025
ARBAEEN PEACE MARCH
The worlds biggest peaceful global march
The world's largest peaceful gathering
Up to 25 million people gather for the 40th day, also called Arbaeen after the Ashura tragedy, to mark the mourning period. Visitors from all corners of the world show their sympathy and support for the prophet's family by walking longer distances of up to 90 kilometers spread over a few days with Karbala in sight
Every year, the mausoleum of Imam Hussain is visited by more than 124 nationalities, their common denominator being their love for the grandson of the Prophet and his holy family. The gathering point is the various cities of Iraq; primarily Najaf or Baghdad and the destination is the city of Karbala, where the Ashura incident took place. The gravesite of Imam Hussain and Abbas can be found in the center of Karbala.
Arbaeen facts
The Journey of Passion, 2022
How did the Arbaeen march start?
Emily Garthwaite, Tales of Arbaeen
Strengthens diversity
Ashura.dk is a site that provides information about the community in this celebration here in Denmark.
The page provides information about opportunities to participate and experience the culture and unity surrounding Ashura and its values.
The visitors; numbers & diversity
Every year, the mausoleum of Imam Hussain is visited by more than 124 nationalities, their common denominator being their love for the grandson of the Prophet and his holy family. The gathering point is the various cities of Iraq; primarily Najaf or Baghdad and the destination is the city of Karbala, where the Ashura incident took place. The gravesite 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. Visitors from all corners of the world show their sympathy 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 hoist their national flags 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 captives of Karbala, their journey and suffering from their then destination from Kufa to Damascus.
Prophets companion; Jabir Ansari
The first visit of Prophet Muhammad's companion Jabir bin Abdullah al-Ansari to the tomb of Imam Hussain was filmed based on authentic historical sources.
Ansari's account and narrative is very central regarding Arbaeen and its origins.
Abdullah al-Ansari was the first companion of the Prophet to visit the grave of Imam Hussain after 40 days of the Imam's martyrdom.Ata, Ansaris tjener beretter:
"I was with Jabir al-Ansari on the 20th of Saffar, and when we arrived at Ghadiriya (Karbala), he took a bath at its river and put on new clean clothes that he had brought with him. He then said to me: Do you have any perfume? I replied: Yes, I have some. He put on something for his body and head, and then he started walking barefoot until he reached the buried head of Imam Hussain. He glorified God three times and then he fainted. When he woke up, I heard him say: Blessed O in the blessed household."
Source: Bihar al-Anwar, chapter 98, narration 329.
Arbaeen; The 40th & its start
After the Battle of Karbala, where Imam Hussain was killed by Yazid's army, the female companions and children of the martyrs were taken hostage. They were taken around the cities, chained, mocked and mistreated 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 the deputy of Prophet Muhammad. 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, which resulted 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.
The black garment of mourning
Shia Muslims often wear black clothing as part of their mourning for the tragedies, especially those associated with the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at the Battle of Karbala.
This practice symbolizes grief, respect, and remembrance of the suffering that Hussain and his followers went through. Black clothing is also a way to express solidarity with the victims who have suffered injustice and oppression.
Flags in different colors
Mourning and Respect: Black is a common color worn during religious mourning periods such as Ashura and Muharram. It symbolizes mourning and respect for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his family in the Battle of Karbala.
Sacred Colors: Green is a color often associated with the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, and it is said to be a color often used to symbolize peace.
Meaning and Identification: Some Shia groups or organizations may have specific colors that symbolize their identity or affiliation with a particular direction or leadership.
Hosting Arbaeen
Arbaeen hosting refers to the practice of providing free food, shelter, and facilities to pilgrims and visitors participating in the Arbaeen pilgrimage to the city of Karbala in Iraq. This is an important part of the Arbaeen observance, where millions of pilgrims, including Shia Muslims and others, travel to Karbala to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. People from communities along the pilgrimage route open their homes and facilities to support the pilgrims and demonstrate solidarity and generosity. This hosting symbolizes important values such as community, humanity, and caring for others.
CONTINUATION
The Battle of Karbala had many aspects to it.
If one were to choose to highlight one of the aspects and perspectives, besides the tragedy, the bloodshed and the grief, sacrifice would be one of the major themes that would be at the center.
Lovers of Imam Hussain have learned to build on Mrs. Zaynab and Imam Al-Sajjad's promotion of the concept of sacrifice and on the prophets before them.
One of the methods of marketing the grandson of the prophet was and is to attract and share the message by sacrificing the most precious thing a supporter of Hussain has to give for the message and for this special love relationship.
In a world that is coming closer together than ever through technology and logistics, the detachment from material goods means a form of liberation from the ownership of property by the owner.
Ashura sacrifice and Arbaeen's culture of generosity and giving creates a human connection that crosses all boundaries and transcends all ego in the teachings of the father of freedom Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet, and his family and companions.
These growing rituals and their expansion to countries around the world, as well as their impact, are a large area of research that creates curiosity among researchers and awaits further exploration, not least by academics and sociologists.
REMEMBERMENT
On a par with the pilgrimage to Mecca, the Arbaeen Peace March has become one of the largest Muslim holidays ever.
A growing crowd of 20 million visitors to this international event cannot be overlooked or underestimated, especially in times when the SoMe movement and the media in general make it easier for followers to explore all the geographies, cultures and nations of the world. Despite the various governments and various obstacles, including the COVID19 virus as the latest, there has been no less support for this movement of freedom and love renewal.
Visitors gather in these huge numbers to empathize and recall the horrors and atrocities that the captives among the Prophet's family and children have endured. This memory of humiliation and inhuman treatment reminds all societies of their role in enjoining good and forbidding evil, which can also be manifested in a symbolic walk.
PILGRIMAGE
The Arbaeen pilgrimage is the largest annual pilgrimage and is discussed with reference to the foot pilgrimage concepts.
Along the major routes from Iraq's various cities to Karbala, visitors and mourners of Imam Hussain encounter a long line of tents and service points also called "mawkib" / موكب.
A mawkib can consist of a group of volunteers or local residents who simply want to offer the walking visitors a form of support and service to be able to complete and complete the walk to Karbala, with Imam Hussain's grave site as the final destination.
Some locals may have waited a whole year to sacrifice the few sheep or cows they have for their livelihood, just to serve them to the Imam's guests during Arbaeen. While other groups cross national borders and hundreds and thousands of kilometers, to contribute with their participation which may vary. Below are some of these "mawakib"/service points:
- Food and drinks.
- Massage and foot care.
- Over-the-counter medications and my health check.
- Rest and overnight locations (host's own house or pitched tents).
International fejring
Host & Hospitality
The atmosphere of every Arbaeen performance is the joy of sacrificing the most dearly loved ones in the footsteps of the prophets and not least in the example of Imam Hussain. The sorrow and performance is not least related to prophets such as the prophet Jacob/Yakuub, who wept over the absence of his son Yusuf and became blind as a result. Likewise, the example and lessons are taken from the sails of the prophets; the prophet Muhammad pbuh and his sorrow and weeping over his beloved wife Khadijha and his uncle Abu Talib, both of whom lost their lives in the desert in the sacrifice for Islam and its propagation.
When the 40th day of the Imam is mentioned, a mourner of the Prophet's family cannot yearn for anything other than to be present in communion with other fellow believers in weeping for Hussain and condoling with Lady Fatima and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Ying and Yang relationship between hospitality and sacrifice is undoubtedly striking even to non-Muslims in these days and nights, and shows nothing but the desire for co-ownership, sharing, and initiative in hospitality and hosting.
"When God desires something good for a person, the love of Imam Hussain will be added to that person's heart, as well as the performance of his visit."
- Imam Ja´afar Al-Sadiq pbuh, Wasaail Alshia, chapter 14 narration 19678
Arbaeen 2024
Arbaeen Peace March in Copenhagen
Every year, the Imam Hussain mausoleum is visited by more than 124 nationalities from different nations, their common denominator being love for the grandson of the Prophet and his holy family. The gathering point is the various cities of Iraq; primarily Najaf or Baghdad, and the destination is the geography of the Ashura events; the city of Karbala with the gravesite of Imam Hussain and Abbas in the center.
"Arbaeen Peace March" is the name of the annual march that was started in Denmark in 2005 by a few mourners. The desire was to walk a symbolic distance, like the million march that takes place annually in Iraq, in memory of Imam Hussein's family, who were taken hostage after the Karbala tragedy in the year 680.
The peace march starts from Hundige to Nørrebro, approximately 20 km, and runs from 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM.
The route and rest areas are as follows:
- 06:30: Hundige station. (start)
- 07:00: Ishøj station.
- 07:30: Vejlegårdsparken.
- 08:30: Strandesplanaden, Brøndby strand (rest break, Arbaeen greetings and food & drink distribution).
- 10:30: Friheden station. (rest break and food & drink distribution).
- 11:30: Valby station.
- 12:30- 14:30 - Nørrebro station. (final destination).
Peace march Denmark 2024