Arbaeen pilgrimage became a symbol of Shiism: Sayed Riyaz Hakim

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Sunday, 25 September 2022

The professor of Najaf seminary said, “Every ummah and nation needs a symbol and rituals that brings unity. Now the Arbaeen pilgrimage has become a symbol for Shiism.”

The 6^th International Arbaeen Pilgrimage Scientific Seminar was started by the Karbala Center for Studies and Research in cooperation with Iraqi institutions and universities.

The opening ceremony of the Seminar was held on the Friday morning, September 23, 2022, in the Khatam al-Anbiya Hall of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein (a.s.) in Karbala.

The theme of the 6^th scientific and international seminar of Arbaeen Pilgrimage is “Arbaeen; perseverance on the path, the sign of identity”.

The ceremony was attended by many Shiite and Sunni scholars, presidents of Iraqi universities, scholars and writers, administrative and military officials, tribal sheikhs, managers of scientific-research institutions, and a group of educated women.

Mr. Hassan Khakarand as the representative of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and Hojat al-Islam Hosseini Aref as the representative of the Ashura International Foundation participated in this scientific and religious seminar.

Arbaeen pilgrimage, symbol of Shiism in today’s world: Hakim

The first speaker of the seminar was Hojat al-Islam Sayed Riaz Hakim, the son of the late Grand Ayatollah Sayed Mohammad Saeed Hakim (r.a.), who was invited to the stage as a representative of the seminary.

Hakim, who started the activities of the seminar as a representative of Najaf seminary, shedding light on Arbaeen stated, “Arbaeen is an important event with many dimensions.”

“There are many hadiths from the infallible Imams (a.s.) about this pilgrimage, which are considered as evidence and support for it,” Hakim said about the importance of Arbaeen pilgrimage.

“The difficult conditions that existed in the past and during the tyrant (Saddam) era in Iraq prevented millions of pilgrims from attending the Arbaeen pilgrimage like as it is common today. But at that time, the enthusiasts of Imam Hussain (a.s.) continued that pilgrimage despite all the hardships,” the seminary professor continued.

Considering the relationship between Shiites as the second dimension of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, he said, “The relationship that is created between Muslims through this pilgrimage is unique.”

“Rising for values ​​is the third dimension of Arbaeen pilgrimage,” Hakim stated, “A person who participates in the Arbaeen pilgrimage pays attention to the values ​​for which Imam Hussain (a.s.) sacrificed himself.”

“Arbaeen is a symbol,” Sayed Riyaz Hakim added, “Every ummah and nation needs a symbol and rituals that brings unity. Now the Arbaeen pilgrimage has become a symbol for Shiism.”

At the end of his speech, while expressing his gratitude to the organizers of the seminar, he said, “I hope we will be successful in what pleases God Almighty.”

A series of international scientific seminars on Arbaeen Pilgrimage

Every year, the call for scientific and international seminar of Arbaeen Pilgrimage is announced by the Karbala Center for Study and Research at Iraqi universities, as well as scientific societies abroad, and it is held in Karbala before Arbaeen Day.

But this year, due to some incidents in Iraq, it was not feasible to hold the 6th seminar before Arbaeen Day. Therefore, the seminar started on Friday 24, September, six days after the anniversary of the Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (a.s.).

It is worth mentioning that the Karbala Center for Study and Research is the research branch of the Office of Imam Hussain (a.s.) Holy Shrine, and has extensive activities in scientific, research, publishing and cultural fields.

AhlulBayt (a_s_) World Assembly Arbaeen Iraq Karbala pilgrimage Shiite