Yusef Jalali
Press TV, Tehran
Iranians across the country have commemorated Arba'een, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein.
People in the capital Tehran marked the occasion too by walking southward to the town of Rey. That was a symbolic walk by those who could not take part in the Araba'een march held by pilgrims in Iraq. There, the pilgrims march toward the city of Karbala that hosts the holy shrine of Imam Hussein.
Imam Hussein is the third Shia Imam and the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad. Imam Hussein and his companions were killed by the tyrant of their time Yazid during the battle of Karbala 14 centuries ago.
Every year on the occasion of Arba'een, millions of pilgrims from different countries travel on foot to get to Imam Hussein's shrine. The march is meant to sympathize with the Imam on the pains he endured during the battle of Karbala.
Imam Hussein and his companions were martyred after they refused to pay allegiance to Yazid who did not practice Islam as taught by the Prophet Mohammad.
This year, from Iran alone, some 3.5 million of people took part in the Arba'een walk in Iraq in a show of respect for Imam Hussein who is a symbol of resistance against tyrants.
To Muslims, the Arba'een walk is of key importance. These people couldn't make it to Karbala this year, but they felt bound to take part in this symbolic march, for they believe by doing this, they would help preserve the legacy of Imam Hussein who sacrificed everything for the sake of Islam.