Arbaeen fosters convergence, sense of belonging to Muslim Ummah

: Iraqi cleric

A senior Iraqi cleric has described Arbaeen as an Islamic and strategic institution with historical, social, political and civilizational implications.

Hujjat-ul-Islam Seyyed Hussein al-Bukhati, Director General of Education and Training at Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), made the remarks at a meeting titled “Arbaeen Pilgrimage from the Perspective of Imam Khamenei.”

He said Arbaeen can be viewed as an annual global conference that brings Muslims from different parts of the world together and provides an opportunity for convergence, mutual understanding and a stronger sense of belonging to the Muslim Ummah.

He stressed that Arbaeen demonstrates that, despite religious, ethnic and national differences, people can come together around shared Islamic and human values. Such a movement can help promote proximity, dialogue and cooperation among followers of different Islamic schools of thought.

The Director General of Education and Training at the PMF said the presence of Sunni Muslims alongside Shiites along the Arbaeen pilgrimage route is one of the significant manifestations of the event. He described this fellowship and solidarity as a source of dignity for Islam and Muslims and a civilizational image of the Muslim world on the international stage.

He noted that a historical analysis of Arbaeen shows that the event is not merely a reminder of the past, but also has a living function in organizing society and preserving the bonds of the Muslim Ummah in every era.

Al-Bukhati further said Arbaeen provides a social model of cooperation, solidarity, service and collective responsibility. During the pilgrimage, people voluntarily place their resources and capabilities at the service of pilgrims, creating an experience of collective life based on love and self-sacrifice.

He identified the civilizational dimension as the third aspect of the martyred Leader’s perspective on Arbaeen, saying the Arbaeen pilgrimage is a practical embodiment of the concept of the “Muslim Ummah,” as Muslims from different countries, with diverse backgrounds, languages and cultures, gather around a common objective.

He added that Arbaeen provides a platform for rapprochement among Islamic schools of thought and represents one of the highest forms of divine soft power and media influence, conveying the message of Imam Hussein (AS) to the world.

“Arbaeen has the potential to change the world’s perception of Islam, Shiism, the Muslim Ummah and the culture of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS),” al-Bukhati said, adding that people around the world witness at the event a tangible manifestation of order, solidarity, self-sacrifice and collective love.