KARBALA: Millions of Shia Muslims gathered southwest of Baghdad in central Iraq on August 4 for Arbaeen 2026, one of the world’s largest annual religious observances.
A total of 4,887,660 foreign visitors had entered Iraq by Sunday night for the commemoration.
The figure covers foreign arrivals rather than total attendance. Millions of Iraqi worshippers also take part in the Karbala pilgrimage each year.
Many pilgrims walked for several days from cities, including Najaf. Others crossed into Iraq from neighbouring countries before travelling to the shrines of Imam Hussain and Imam Abbas.
Volunteers operating service stations along the routes provided food, water and shelter without charge, according to the Associated Press.
Iraq allocated 52.5 billion dinars, or about $34.1 million, to agencies overseeing the pilgrimage and the holy shrines. Authorities also leased 2,400 buses to transport participants, Shafaq News reported.
Arbaeen falls 40 days after Ashura. It commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680.
Pakistan also observed Chehlum on August 4. Sindh closed public and private schools for the occasion.
Read: Karbala Ashura Millions of Pilgrims Karbala Iraq
Meanwhile, Punjab Police deployed more than 42,000 personnel for 730 majalis and 420 mourning processions. More than 10,000 officers guarded 44 majalis and 17 processions in Lahore.
Global Arbaeen Master Schedule & Procession Locations
| Country / Region | City / Location | Local Observation Date | Primary Procession & Gathering Hubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iraq | Karbala | Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 | The Najaf-to-Karbala Highway (Pole 1 to 1452); converging at the Holy Shrines of Imam Hussain (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS). |
| Iran | Tehran & Mashhad | Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 | Tehran: Imam Hossein Square to Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine. Mashhad: Imam Reza Holy Shrine complex. |
| Pakistan | Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi | Wednesday, Aug 5, 2026 | Lahore: Mochi Gate to Karbala Gamay Shah. Karachi: Nishtar Park to Hussainia Iranian Imambargah. Rawalpindi: Col. Maqbool Imambargah to Qumi Imambargah. |
| India | Lucknow & Mumbai | Wednesday, Aug 5, 2026 | Lucknow: Bara Imambara to Chhota Imambara. Mumbai: Mughal Masjid (Bhendi Bazaar) to local Shia burial grounds. |
| United Kingdom | London | Sun, Aug 9, 2026 (Weekend) | Annual Arbaeen Procession: Marble Arch, Hyde Park, marching through Central London to 10 Downing Street. |
| United States | New York City & Dearborn | Sun, Aug 9, 2026 (Weekend) | NYC: Annual Husaini Day March along Park Avenue (Manhattan). Dearborn, MI: Ford Road religious hubs and local community centers. |
| Canada | Toronto | Sat, Aug 8, 2026 (Weekend) | Toronto Arbaeen March: Mel Lastman Square (North York), marching along Yonge Street. |
| Australia | Sydney & Melbourne | Sun, Aug 9, 2026 (Weekend) | Sydney: Martin Place and Sydney CBD peace march. Melbourne: Federation Square community congregation. |
