Hundreds from Mumbai reach Iraq to mark Arbaeen of Imam Hussain

Imam Hussain Shrine in Karbala, Iraq. Pic/Vasi Sayed

Hundreds from Mumbai are gathering in Najaf and Karbala in Iraq to mark the Arbaeen of Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad this weekend. Arbaeen- 40th day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain is also observed in the entire world including Mumbai.

In south Mumbai, after a two-year gap, lakhs of mourners of Imam Hussain will commemorate the mass procession on September 18.

Imam Hussain Shrine. Pic/Vasi Sayed

Speaking to mid-day.com, Habib Naser, the general secretary of All India Idara-e-Tahafuz-e-Husainiyat (A Shia Muslim Premier Organisation) which is known for organising the mass procession on the Roz-e-Ashurah or the 10th day of Muharram and Chehlum-e-Imam Hussain (Arbaeen Processions) said, "Not only from south Mumbai but people from across the state participate in the Arbaeen processions. Many people walk from Thane, Mira Road, Saki Naka and Kurla to join the procession which starts from Masji-e-Iranian and ends at Shia cemetery (Rahmatabad Qabristan) in Mazgaon."

Vasi Sayed with other group members. File Pic/Vasi Sayed

He said, "There are large number of medical camps arranged and there will be sabeels where niyaz, water and juices will be distributed. Around 10 lakh people are expected to attend the juloos. There will be majlis recitation by Maulana Tanveer Abbas Najafi sahab, Nohas and Matam will also be held."

A group of devotees from Mumbai on their way to Karbala from Najaf. Pic/ Sayed Zamin Ali

A large number of people from Mumbai have already reached Karbala after walking for around 80 kilometers from Najaf to Karbala. Vasi Muhammad Sayed, the chief of Guldasta-E-Matami, a Mumbai-based Anjuman told mid-day.com, "I along with other group members landed in Najaf on September 3. Thereafter, we visited the shrines of Imams in Iraq. We began the Najaf to Karbala walk on September 11 and in three days we reached Karbala for the Chelum of Imam Hussain."

"Not only from Mumbai or India, millions of people from across the world reach Karbala to mark the Chehlum of Imam Hussain. On the journey, there are locals and people from across the world who distribute food, water and give medical treatment if needed," Vasi who also operates Safar-e-Ishq tours added.

Qaiser Mirza. Pic/Vasi Sayed

People from Mumbai had planned their journey to Iraq well in advance to acquire the visas and flight tickets to reach Karbala for Arbaaen.

Qaiser Mirza, Carvan-e-Nainawa tour operator, told mid-day.com, "People submitted their applications to travel about a month ago. At present I have a group of about 150 people with me, most of them are from Mumbai. Most of them decided to walk from Najaf to Karbala, which is a significant practice of the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain ibn Ali. Since it gets extremely crowded and millions of people from across the world gather here, we have to accordingly make arrangements in terms of hotels, food and safe transportation of the luggage of the Zawaars. It is with the help of Imam Hussain, and his followers here that everything goes on very smoothly and there are not even small problems being faced by us despite Karbala being so crowded."

Najaf to Karbala walk. File Pic/Vasi Sayed