In comments at the beginning of a religious course in Tehran on Monday, Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the pilgrimage to Karbala for commemoration of Arbaeen, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), as the envy of all people.
The leader also described the magnificent pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Imam Hossein (PBUH) in Karbala to mark Arbaeen as a major event bestowed by Almighty God.
“Thank God, millions of our people, Iraqis and others take this path,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, describing the huge movement as a “magnificent symbol” of love for the Shia imams.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage is among “very outstanding” events bestowed by God, the Leader added.
Each year, a huge crowd of Shia Muslims attend the religious commemoration of Arbaeen. Last year, around 20 million pilgrims from all over the world gathered in Karbala on Arbaeen.
Arba’een, meaning the fortieth in Arabic, is observed 40 days after Ashura, the tenth day of the lunar calendar month of Muharram, when Imam Hussein, the third Shia Imam, was martyred at the hands of the tyrant of the time, Yazid I, back in the seventh century.
Imam Hussein is a highly-venerated figure not only among Shia Mulims but also Sunnis, Christians and the people of other faiths.