Muqtada al-Sadr says Arbaeen pilgrimage carries meaning beyond a ritual

Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of Iraq’s National Sadrist Movement, said in a written statement that the Arbaeen pilgrimage to Imam Hussein’s shrine carries a meaning beyond being a marker of faith. He described setting out to visit Imam Hussein as a move toward sacrifice, reform and martyrdom. According to the statement, every step taken toward Hussein represents a stance against worldliness and corruption, while every sincere walk on the road reflects spiritual devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt, the family of the Prophet Muhammad. Al-Sadr also said the enemies of Imam Hussein and the Ahl al-Bayt have been condemned throughout history, and stressed that voices calling out corruption cannot be allowed to challenge the ritual. He added that any temporary closure of streets and roads for the pilgrimage cannot be compared to Imam Hussein’s killing, which he said blocked the paths of divine mercy. Al-Sadr called on supporters of reform to march toward Hussein’s shrine, arguing that doing so would anger the opponents of reform and keep the reform movement alive.