Iran's Strategic Investment in Arbaeen Pilgrimage

The Arbaeen pilgrimage marking the end of the mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Each year, millions of Shia Muslims from various parts of the globe, particularly from Iran, make their way to Karbala, Iraq, to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The Iranian government invests millions to facilitate and support this pilgrimage, and the reasons for this expenditure are multifaceted, encompassing religious, political, social, and humanitarian dimensions.