Millions of people from all over the world flock to the city each year to pay homage to Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad. This year, however, the occasion has seen a drastic change. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Iraq allowed only its nationals to attend the ceremony. Here in Iran, the majority of the related processions have also been called off.
And a handful of the ceremonies that got the green-light, were only allowed to be held with strict limitations.
Arba'een is best known for the Arba'een march, where pilgrims travel long distances, stretching for tens of kilometres, on foot to get to Imam Hussein's shrine in Karbala.
The tradition is meant to sympathize with the Imam on the pains he endured in the event of Karbala, where he and 72 of his companions were martyred by the second Umayyid caliph Yazid.
The Arba'een march is of great significance for Muslims. In Iran, those who cannot make it to Karbala, take part in a symbolic march from Tehran to the town of Rey. This year, such a march was also called off.
Many organizers of religious ceremonies have this year allocated Arba'een spending on charity works.
Arba'een is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world which manifests the extent of the age-old love for Imam Hussein and his ideology of resistance against injustice. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic canceled most of the mourning processions, but people say the love for Imam Hussein runs deep in their hearts.