A Study on ‘Religious Tourism’ With Reference to Arba’een in Iraq

This paper analyzes the concept of ‘pilgrim tourism’ with reference to the occasion of Arbaeen and the great walk associated with it, which has continued for the past 1400 years despite all odds. It also looks at the exchange of socio cultural experiences of the tourist who travel form India. This paper also makes an attempt to explore the economic aspects of Arbaeen and how Indian tour operators and SME can benefit from the business opportunities available during the period of Arbaeen and other religious gatherings that take place in the historically rich country but developing country of Iraq. This paper also makes us familiar with other places of pilgrimage in Karbala which people visit along with the main shrine of Imam Husain (as) and also throws light on hospitality which is very unique provided by the locals. The study also looks in the cultural aspects of this pilgrimage and how it has and can benefit both Iraq and India.

Religious tourism or Faith tourism can be termed as a combination of tourism and religion, the latter being defined “as a system of beliefs in a higher being that are held with great faith and commitment”.

Religious tourism is one of the most under studied areas in tourism research.

Religion, in the traditional sense of the word, is not in decline but is, rather, taking on a different form; modern societies remain religious, but religion has become increasingly de-institutionalized.

Regardless of their motivations, all visitors to these attractions require some level of services, ranging from providing for the most basic of human needs, to full commercial development that rivals the most secular resort (Nolan and Nolan, 1992). Accordingly, Richards and Fernandes (2007) argue that a new approach is needed for analyzing religious tourism, based on data that gets away from very narrow official statistics.[footnoteRef:5]

More over religious tropes and metaphors are often playfully engaged y tourist and both inventively and stereotypically used often hyperbolically, by promoters of tourism when referring to potential attractions and destinations.[footnoteRef:6]

Every year millions of people travel to major pilgrimage destinations around the world ancient and modern in origin. Jackowski (2000) estimates that approximately 240 million people go on pilgrimages, the majority being Christians, Muslims, and Hindus.[footnoteRef:7]

Increase in spiritually motivated travel have coincided with the growth of tourism in the modern era (Lloyd 1998)[footnoteRef:8], even though the industry and its “associated practices interact with religious life and the institutions of religion in virtually every corner of the world” (Bremmer 2005)[footnoteRef:9]. Cohen 1992[footnoteRef:10] sees pilgrim as travelling to the center of their religious world.

Historical background of the event of Karbala and Arbaeen:

Hussain ibn Ali (as) was a 7th century revolutionary leader and grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) who made a stand against Yazid ibn Muawiyah. Yazid was a tyrannical ruler who had illegally usurped power and was violating the basic rights and dignity of the people. Yazid wanted Hussain to pay allegiance to him, to lend credibility to his own corrupt rule. However Hussain refused to do so, based on his moral values and principles, and was killed by an army of over 30,000 whilst standing with a small number of 72.

After the Battle of Karbala, the forces of Yazid took the women and children of Hussain’s family as captive. They were paraded in chains through the streets of Kufa (Iraq) and Damascus (Syria) – where they were abused by crowds until eventually presented to Yazid and placed in prison.

Though Hussain (as) has died, his movement still continued through his sister Zainab, and son Zain Al-Abideen. Hussain’s sister and his son defied Yazid in his own courtyard through famous sermons which unnerved even his closest allies. Eventually, Yazid had no choice but to free the captives as word spread across the region of the crime he had committed against Hussain ibn Ali and his family.

It is said that the Day of Arbaeen is the day on which Hussain’s family returned to the land of Karbala, to properly bid farewell to the fallen heroes and finally grieve for their loved ones.[footnoteRef:11]

In the year that followed the event of Karbala, Jabir ibne Abdillah, a friend of Imam Hussain (as) visited the grave of Imam Hussain (as) on foot for the first time and reached Karbala on the day of Arbaeen.

This walk has continued for centuries but secretly due the tyrannical rule of several Islamic rulers who were extremely hostile towards the family of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and their followers.

Arbaeen commemorations were also banned for the past 30 years during the rule of Saddam Hussain. After the fall of the Saddam regime, millions of Iraqis got the opportunity to freely visit the shrine of Imam Hussain (as) and commemorate the 40th day of martyrdom called ‘Arbaeen’.In spite of several bombings that took place in the city of Karbala from 2005 onwards and in nearby cities, millions of Iraqis from all over Iraq, pilgrims of other countries namely Iranians and other Shia Muslim Zaireens (religious tourist) have been visiting the shrine of Imam Hussain (as) on the occasion of Arbaeen.

It is estimated that more than 21 Million pilgrim visited the shrine if Imam Hussain (as) in 2012[footnoteRef:12]. In 2017 the number of pilgrims was between 30 to 40 million.

Iraqi women, children, men and physically challenged individuals along with toddlers in prams living in the northern and eastern parts of Iraq travel for more than 500 kilometers on foot. Many Iranians, Pakistanis, and Indian pilgrims have travelled on foot to reach Karbala for Arbaeen. The pilgrimage is marked by long walks from Najaf or Basra to Karbala. People from different walks of life, ethnicity and sect participate in the march. The Arbaeen walk has also attracted many Sunnis, Christians, Yazidis and people of other faiths. Representatives of the Vatican prominent Indian spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar have also paid their visit to the shrine of Imam Hussain (as).

Hospitality is a large part of Middle Eastern culture and of being well-mannered. Regardless of the financial status of a person, you will always enter a house and be welcomed and generously hosted. Endless amounts of food, drinks, desserts, and fruits are offered to guests, as is the case with the visitors to Karbala, Iraq for the commemoration of Arbaeen, marking the end of the 40th day mourning period of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. It is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world that is held annually. (https://www.theodysseyonline.com/war-torn-rich-hospitality).

According to Sayed Mahdi al-Modarresi, “Arbaeen should be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records in several categories. The biggest annual gathering, longest continuous dining table, largest number of people fed for free, largest group of volunteers serving a single event, all under the imminent threat of suicide bombings.”

Local Iraqis and pilgrim from different parts of the world are at the service of the pilgrims who take 84 KM walk from Najaf to Karbala. Wealthy Iraqis and citizens of other countries sent up food stalls, Moukkab (tents) for the pilgrims to eat and rest. Everything is served absolutely free, all in the name of Imam Hussain (as). Those Iraqis who are not fortunate enough, bring whatever is available in their homes even it is a piece of bread or some dates. One can see young boys giving free massage to the feet of the pilgrims, some kiss the feet, and little children standing of the streets provide tissues wipes, some carry soup or tea trays on their heads inviting the pilgrims to have them. We find doctors from United States and other countries giving free medical aid in the tents to the pilgrims. Mobile phone, prams etc. are repaired free by the local youths. They also provide the service of polishing your shoes for free. Some provide free bus and taxi service to the older or disabled pilgrims.

The pilgrims are assisted with 1452 poles which serve as location spots which are at a distance of 50 meters each. Pole no 1285 is the check point for the entrance into the city of Karbala. The first view of the Holy Shrines can be viewed once the pilgrim reaches pole no 1404.

Places for pilgrims to visit (sacred sites) in Iraq:

Turner (1973), argued that sacred sites were typically on the periphery of society away from the profane social world.[footnoteRef:14]

Going for Arbaeen in Iraq, the pilgrims also visit numerous places of worship which includes the graves of several Prophets and Imams and other important historical spots.

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Place Order

There several places to visit in the city of Najaf where lies the grand Mausoleum of Imam Ali (as)

It also contains the graves of several prophets namely, Prophet Adam (pbuh) and Prophet Noah (pbuh) and several other revered Islamic personalities.

Wadi-Us Salaam: The world’s largest cemetery of nearly 1500 acres is located here. It contains the graves of Prophet Hud (as) Prophet Saleh (as) and Kumayl [slave of Imam Ali (as)]

Masjid Hannana: The significance of this mosque is that when Imam Hasan (as) and Imam Hussain (as) were carrying the body of Imam Ali (as) from Kufa to Najaf, they passed near this mosque, and as they were passing, the pillars of the mosque inclined towards Imam Ali (as) as if paying its last respects. It is also believed that some of the skin from Imam Hussain (as)'s head (that came off when Khul Mal'un was disrespecting the head of Imam Hussain (as) with a knife is buried here.

City Of Kufa: This city next to Najaf has several places to visit. The house of Imam Ali (as) lies here.

City Of Karabala: 1400 years ago Karbala was an uninhabited place. Today it is the center of pilgrimage. It is the place of the world’s largest public gathering which attracts more than 50 million visitors every year.

The shrine of Imam Hussain (as) is situated in this city. It contains the graves of Imam Hussain (as) his two sons. Graves of several other personalities are also in this city.

The shrine of Hazrat Abbas (as) (brother) is also in this city. Apart from this there are several spot of historical importance to be visited in this city.

This city which is near to Baghdad contains the graves of several holy Imams and reversed personalities.

Baghdad & Madain: This city also has graves of many revered personalities and important places to visit.

The Palace of Nausherwan - part of ancient Babylonian civilization. When the Holy Prophet [s] was born in Makkah, this huge edifice is said to have developed cracks on its walls.

Samarra: This city is of great importance. The shrine of Imam Hasan Al Askari (as) is in this city. In this shrine lies the place of occultation from where the 12th Holy Imam, Al Mehdi (as) went into occultation. It also contains the graves of his mother Nargis , father and grandfather and who were among the chains of the 12 Holy Infallible Imams.

Pilgrimages have been an expression of faith in many religions for centuries and in recent times they have experienced a resurgence (Diagane 2003 Eade 2013). Travelling for religious motivations frequently reflects the spiritual travel that every believer experiences in his or her personal spiritual life (Turner and Turner 1978, Cohen 1979, Campo 1998, Mcconnell 1999, Timothy and Boyd 2003)

The pilgrimage for Arbaeen attracts visitors of more than 100 countries. Indian pilgrims get an opportunity to interact with people from different countries and get to interact with them. Even though their languages are different, they manage to interact with locals and with pilgrims of other countries. During Arbaeen, local Iraqis open their doors, hearts and kitchen for the pilgrims who visit Karbala. Al- Kindi a local Iraqi who now lives in Chicago, visits his country every year to serve the ‘Zaireens’ of Imam Hussain (as). This has allowed him to make friends with people from different countries. Locals and tourist get to learn different languages after interacting with tourist from different countries. (BCC Travel)

Economics and religion have been influential forces in shaping world history. However according to Vukonic 2002,[footnoteRef:15] the economic aspects religious travel have been the least studied topic in relation to the religion tourism crossover, only being of interest to researchers when a single sacred site in under consideration.

Today Arbaeen draws pilgrims between 30 to 40 million while Hajj attracted last year approximately 2.5 million pilgrims. Nonetheless, due to mismanagement by the Iraqi central government, as described by Mahmood al- Zubaidi, director - general of tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, the large number of pilgrims is not adding to the Iraqi economy.

“Nothing is organized,” Zubaidi said, “so many ministries get involved, that nothing gets arranged: The Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Tourism, the Interior Ministry and more.”

When compared with neighboring Saudi Arabia, host to the annual haj, which involves about 8 million pilgrims annually, it can be understood where the Iraqi government is failing. Following implementation of a pilgrim’s tax, religious tourism in Saudi Arabia contributes $12 billion to the Saudi economy, accounting for 2.7% of Saudi’s gross domestic product (GDP). Iraq, on the other hand, receives some $3.7 billion annually in tourism revenues, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, a fraction of the Saudi figure despite millions more pilgrims visiting.[footnoteRef:16]

After speaking with pilgrims from Mumbai who have visited Iraq a few times it was found that Arbaeen though is not a religious obligation but is done only out of the love of Imam Hussain (as). After talking to the pilgrims almost all were enthusiastic about undertaking the walk to Arbaeen every year. Some have narrated their personal experience of divine help. One pilgrim Ms Shabbir said that inside the shrine there were hundreds of pilgrims from different countries and it was impossible for this 70 year lady to touch the Zari (structure on top of the grave) of Imam Hussain (as).She was weeping as she was not able to reach this Zari. Suddenly a lady gave her hand to hold and took her to the Zari effortlessly through the crowds.

Another pilgrim from Mumbai Abuzar, said that it was a miracle that he is alive as while travelling via Iran border by mistake he entered ISIS territory. He was assisted by a local who bought him back to Karbala and united him with his group.

India has always maintained healthy relations with mostly all Arab countries. Even during the Saddam regime ties between India Iran and Iraq were neutral. With the fall of Saddam Hussain and the new Iraqi government coming in which is closely supported by Iran, with whom India maintains great business ties after the creation of Chabahar port India can contribute to the economic growth of Iran and Iraq. Indian business houses and SME can benefit for the same.

Iraq has been at the center of political upheaval and terrorism for the past 20 years. It has again becoming a under developed country which requires a huge makeover of its infrastructure.

Since the outbreak of the war in 2003, India had frequently responded to the humanitarian needs in Iraq and contributed in several ways, including providing $10 million in aid towards the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) for investments, reconstruction and development in Iraq. (www.thehindu.com)

India can directly contribute its expertise in the field of real estate, setting up of pharmaceutical companies, Health care services, Solar Power and Agriculture. Indian SME can setup waste recycle plants as tourist leave behind a huge amount of plastic waste.

The result of this study shows that socio economic development of a country can take place with proper planning of ‘Pilgrim Tourism’. Iraq as a country rich with natural resources can once again become a develop country and a regional power. Tourism in Iraq should be professionally managed and promoted. Apart from religious sites belonging to Muslims there are many religious site of the interest of Jews, Christians and other religions which can be promoted. This can help locals with job opportunity and local business will also flourish.