For a few years in a month of zero, social media is filled with photos and videos of Wednesday's walk in which everyone seems to appreciate the hospitality of Iraqis. But very few people know what the main opportunity is in the background of these photos and videos. Read about Wednesday's walk by BBC's Manza Anwar.
It was an 80km long road. A common highway that is built to link two cities in any country, but the scene on this road connecting two Iraqi cities, Najaf and Karbala, considered sacred for Shi'a Muslims, was unique.
Traveling here was a free arrangement for any traveler's every need. If someone forced you to drink juice, someone would grab palm or other food item.
Also read
There were some kids who were requesting that we polish their shoes, so someone wanted to allow them to press their legs.
There were sofas on one side of the road so that tired travelers could sit on them and rest on the other.
After all, who are these people and why are they sharing all this stuff for free on the road and bringing the best of their homes on the road?
Getty Images And on this occasion, the poor and the wealthy seem to be trying to take the lead in serving the local Iraqi visitors over the distinction of the rich.
This scenario was the one on Wednesday in the Islamic month of Zoroastrian walk. This process, known as 'Mashi', is carried out every year by millions of people traveling from Najaf to Karbala on the eve of the Prophet's Chawl.
And on this occasion the poor and the wealthy seem to be trying to take the lead in serving the local Iraqi visitors, transcending the distinction of the rich.
I was very surprised to find that these residents of the war-torn country, who barely make a living, save money year-round for those days so that there is no shortage of service for visitors coming from different countries of the world.
What is Wednesday?
Buddhists call 40 in Arabic numerals, and the term is literally commemorated 39 days after the death of a person.
In Iraq, on Wednesday, the festival of Safar is celebrated on the completion of 40 days of the Karbala incident of 61 Muharram in 61 AH.
Getty Images Today, 1400 years after the Karbala incident, hundreds of millions of people from all corners of the globe reach Karbala in memory of the Prophet's sacrifice
Of course, nothing can be definitively said about when the Buddhist walk began, but according to Syed Raza, a scholar from Najaf's zoology, "according to historical traditions, Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari was the first person to be the Imam. Visit to Hussein's grave. '
Today, 1400 years after the Karbala incident, millions of people from all corners of the globe reach Karbala in memory of the Prophet's sacrifice.
Wednesday during Saddam Hussein's time
During the regime of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, there were strict sanctions on the Buddhist walk, and authorities tried every possible way to stop the Iraqi people on Wednesday, but the journey continued.
Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's rule in 2003, the Burmese walk has begun with a new spirit, and since then the number of people arriving in Karbala for this journey has been increasing every year.
BBC
The influx of pilgrims to Buddhism continued even when a large part of Iraq was under the influence of the so-called Islamic extremist organization, and many countries were advising their citizens to refrain from traveling to Iraq.
Beginning on Wednesday
Usually, the journey starts from Najaf and most of the people traveling for Wednesday arrive at Najaf airport, but for me, the journey started from the Iraqi city of Basra.
I had heard that unmarried women do not give Iraqi visas, but when my number came in broken English Arabic only asked why came to Iraq, I replied 'Ziarat Hussein'.
No questions or further inquiries. The young man in the back of the glass rightly applied for a two-week visa on my passport and withdrew his passport, saying 'Stageback per Iraq'.
Getty Images Normally - this journey starts from Najaf and most people traveling for Wednesday arrive at Najaf airport but for me the journey started from the Iraqi city of Basra.
The airports around the world have to buy everything from food to drinking water, and at a high cost, but at Basra airport, there was free water for the visitors.
On a Wednesday, everything is free, except on plane tickets and visas.
This was estimated at the airport exit. Hundreds of buses and cars were parked outside the airport.
Setting up a reasonable price from Basra to Karbala, or Najaf or wherever you want to go, these drivers will take you there and if you don't have the money, no worries, Basra residents are free of cost. I also looked ready to perform this service.
When the driver started to drive to Najaf, the driver made a bottle of water and a packet of dates.
Najaf is about four hours' drive from Basra and showed plenty of excitement despite checkpoints and tight security arrangements throughout the route.
Getty Images The driver started to drive to Najaf, so at his door the driver made a few words and handed me a bottle of water and a packet of dates.
Somewhere, people were seen carrying a luggage on their head towards Najaf, where people were sitting stalls to serve such travelers. It felt as if the whole country was involved in this important festival.
After three hours of travel, we stopped at a car. In the middle of the road, a man was standing with a black flag and was not letting any car forward.
He wished that the visitors could eat at his restaurant and start the journey again. Najaf was in a hurry to arrive, but the host insisted that he had to leave.
The restaurant was filled with complimentary words for Imam Hussain and his companions, and banners for the guests who arrived on Wednesday.
Chairs were set up outside the restaurant for men and women, while the restroom and dining area were adjacent to the restaurant.
There were mattresses on the carpet for women to rest on. On one side there was prayer, while on the other hand some Arab and Iranian women were eating.
Sheikh's entire family was very pleased with the service.
Hiking from Najaf to Karbala
After this short stop our bus reached Najaf after an hour's journey. The pilgrims' journey to Buddhism begins with the greeting of Hazrat Ali at Najaf.
The exact number of people who visit Najaf to Karbala on the occasion of Imam Hussein is made different every year, but according to a careful estimate, more than 300 million people are gathered in the area on Wednesday.
As soon as Najaf arrives, everyone is in a hurry to turn to Karbala. So most people leave their belongings in Najaf and go on foot to Karbala, carrying luggage, in small bags.
The distance from Najaf to Karbala is about 80 km. The road from Najaf to Karbala is called 'Najaf'. Most of the people who come for Wednesday are on the same road as Mishi (walking, pedestrian) to Karbala.
Now it depends on your strength, health and morale depending on how much you walk daily and how long you travel, but usually people who travel from Najaf to Karbala will make the trip in three to four days.
If this is your first time attending a Wednesday walk, I suggest you do not carry in your bag full of accessories from around the world as everything is available for free. Even if it is a bother to lift weights.
All kinds of arrangements are made for visitors to Najaf.
Everywhere in the world food is available, from food to baby pampers and tissue paper, for free.
Everywhere the Iraqis have 'makab' with their family names. You can call them lounges and lounges.
Here you can rest as long as you want from your prayers and charge your mobile and other items in the meantime.
The mask features indoor charging wires, Wi-Fi, hot meals, massage and toe presses to wash your dirty laundry.
If you get sick or you need a medicine, there is a medical stall with a staff every few kilometers.
Little children appear to have food items in large bins on their heads. They all insist that you eat their food.
In many places, it seems wrong to call this road the world's largest restaurant.
Getty Images In the Buddhist walk where there is no gender and age, this journey is not restricted to Shiite Muslims but to Sunni, Kurdish, Yazidi, Christian, people of every religion and region.
The Iraqis consider it a worship not only to the Buddhists but also to those who come to it, and that is why they do not hesitate to serve the visitors, and the entire Iraqi family appears to be pleased with the service.
One Iraqi said children are particularly involved in the process so that the service of visitors can continue from generation to generation.
Although 99% of the road arrangements on the road from Najaf to Karbala are done by local Iraqi, almost every country has a stall.
Somewhere in Pakistan, you are waiting for you to prepare tea and tea, and then suddenly a Lebanese comes in front of you and pushes it.
In the Buddhist Walk, where there is no gender and age difference, this journey is not restricted to Shiite Muslims, but to Sunni, Kurdish, Yazidi, Christian people of every religion and region.
Getty Images Women were taken to a room at a check post at Karbala and were told to sit quietly and drink tea while your goods are being checked.
An Iranian woman was heading to Karbala for her one-and-a-half-month-old baby. Their two children were sitting on a walker that her husband was driving.
At some distance, a young man was seen riding a wheelchair on a turbaned woman.
Upon discovering that her poor mother was unable to walk, she wished that this year would be Wednesday.
At one point, a woman dressed in black robes was seen in a row of camels. Their hands were tied to ropes.
On inquiry, it was learned that on Wednesday, several tribes from different parts of Iraq arrived in Karbala in memory of Karbala in the event of a procession that could reflect the events that took place in the meantime.
Karbala and Wednesday
At a check post at the Karbala border, women were taken to a room and told to sit quietly and drink tea while your goods were being checked.
It was dawn when our convoy entered Karbala. As we were entering the city limits, we were sitting on the sidewalk to bring some young Iraqi tea.
There was also a free WiFi messenger, so I informed the family who had been drinking tea.
Large scanners were installed at a checkpoint at some distance to check the goods of the visitors. Security personnel were well-mannered, but the check-in process was daunting.
Everyone in our line has been told to wait because the knives used in chains were recovered from a sir's luggage. We were told that any kind of knife, knife, etc. is prohibited in Karbala during Wednesday.
Karbala is probably the only city in the world where no one goes for entertainment. Almost all those who come here commemorate the great sacrifice of the Prophet and his family.
Getty Images Visitors come in from one side touch the piercing and go straight out
There are a total of 10 doors to enter Imam Hussain's house and every door was so rush to seek refuge from God.
In the beginning, I thought I would never be able to get in and even if I tried to go, my bones would be sore. Well this idea later proved to be wrong.
On the occasion of Wednesday, since millions of people come to Karbala and everyone's goal is to reach Imam Hussein, the Iraqis have arranged in such a way that it takes you two to three hours, but everyone reaches the disease. Is.
Visitors come in from one side, touch the piercing and head straight out.
Do not even think of standing here. There were very careful women dressed in black sheets, holding soft wavy sticks, as they held you for more than a second.
We heard a Pakistani woman say, 'We came from so far and we are not allowed to stand here for a few minutes.'
All of this may seem strange, but if everyone is allowed to stay there, no one will be able to reach the disease.
Arrangements for visitors to Karbala
Karbala also had arrangements like Ann Najaf. Vehicles with jamba dining stalls and mobile washrooms stood.
For those who cannot afford to stay in hotels, there are plans for free mattresses, blankets, pillows and washrooms.
Those who could not find a place in Makkab kept small tents in the streets. Those who did not bring the tents kept a blanket underneath and were sleeping on the sidewalk for fun.
Where did these blankets come from at night and where they disappear in the morning it was discovered the next day when I saw a huge truck full of blankets.
Every night, many such trucks roam the streets of Karbala and throw blankets. The next day, after dawn, the same truck comes back and collects these blankets.
I still do not understand how this small city can handle billions of people.
Fasting
20 Zero day is very important. Everyone leaves here for the same day, leaving his work and bearing the burden of the road.
Rush's situation was such that it only took me three hours to get to the outer door of the hospital, which was located a few minutes in front of my hotel.
The crowd was quiet, however, despite the crowd. Nobody appeared to be arguing with anyone or they could get into a riot.
With all calmness, Ramada was on his way to Imam Hussain as he believed that whatever happened, he would reach Ramada.
If a young woman is walking behind a young man, lightly tapping on the shoulder of the person next to him, he says that women are the way to go, and they leave the path for you as much as possible.
The people in this crowd were not people of any sect or civilization. Somewhere in the Christian religion, the people carrying the cross were heading towards Imam Hussein.
People from European and African countries were also going in to read the words in their languages, taking the flags of their respective countries.
Getty Images In the streets of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), there was the same uniform on every person's tongue, 'Lubeck or Hussein, Lubeck or Hussein
In the disease of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and in the surrounding streets, there was the same uniformity in the language of every person: Lubeck or Hussein, Lubeck or Hussein.
I was wondering what is the power in the sacrifice of a person who sacrificed for the religion of Islam 14 centuries ago that millions of people from all corners of the globe pulled to Karbala to grieve for them and to remember their sacrifice. come.
It seems that everyone has a personal connection to Imam Hussein that no one else can understand, and it is this passion that brings people of all faiths to Karbala from all corners of the globe and the Iraqi family from family to family. Worship.
It was an 80km long road. A common highway that is built to link two cities in any country, but the scene on this road connecting two Iraqi cities, Najaf and Karbala, considered sacred for Shi'a Muslims, was unique.
Traveling here was a free arrangement for any traveler's every need. If someone forced you to drink juice, someone would grab palm or other food item.
Also read
There were some kids who were requesting that we polish their shoes, so someone wanted to allow them to press their legs.
There were sofas on one side of the road so that tired travelers could sit on them and rest on the other.
After all, who are these people and why are they sharing all this stuff for free on the road and bringing the best of their homes on the road?
Getty Images And on this occasion, the poor and the wealthy seem to be trying to take the lead in serving the local Iraqi visitors over the distinction of the rich.
This scenario was the one on Wednesday in the Islamic month of Zoroastrian walk. This process, known as 'Mashi', is carried out every year by millions of people traveling from Najaf to Karbala on the eve of the Prophet's Chawl.
And on this occasion the poor and the wealthy seem to be trying to take the lead in serving the local Iraqi visitors, transcending the distinction of the rich.
I was very surprised to find that these residents of the war-torn country, who barely make a living, save money year-round for those days so that there is no shortage of service for visitors coming from different countries of the world.
What is Wednesday?
Buddhists call 40 in Arabic numerals, and the term is literally commemorated 39 days after the death of a person.
In Iraq, on Wednesday, the festival of Safar is celebrated on the completion of 40 days of the Karbala incident of 61 Muharram in 61 AH.
Getty Images Today, 1400 years after the Karbala incident, hundreds of millions of people from all corners of the globe reach Karbala in memory of the Prophet's sacrifice
Of course, nothing can be definitively said about when the Buddhist walk began, but according to Syed Raza, a scholar from Najaf's zoology, "according to historical traditions, Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari was the first person to be the Imam. Visit to Hussein's grave. '
Today, 1400 years after the Karbala incident, millions of people from all corners of the globe reach Karbala in memory of the Prophet's sacrifice.
Wednesday during Saddam Hussein's time
During the regime of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, there were strict sanctions on the Buddhist walk, and authorities tried every possible way to stop the Iraqi people on Wednesday, but the journey continued.
Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's rule in 2003, the Burmese walk has begun with a new spirit, and since then the number of people arriving in Karbala for this journey has been increasing every year.
BBC
The influx of pilgrims to Buddhism continued even when a large part of Iraq was under the influence of the so-called Islamic extremist organization, and many countries were advising their citizens to refrain from traveling to Iraq.
Beginning on Wednesday
Usually, the journey starts from Najaf and most of the people traveling for Wednesday arrive at Najaf airport, but for me, the journey started from the Iraqi city of Basra.
I had heard that unmarried women do not give Iraqi visas, but when my number came in broken English Arabic only asked why came to Iraq, I replied 'Ziarat Hussein'.
No questions or further inquiries. The young man in the back of the glass rightly applied for a two-week visa on my passport and withdrew his passport, saying 'Stageback per Iraq'.
Getty Images Normally - this journey starts from Najaf and most people traveling for Wednesday arrive at Najaf airport but for me the journey started from the Iraqi city of Basra.
The airports around the world have to buy everything from food to drinking water, and at a high cost, but at Basra airport, there was free water for the visitors.
On a Wednesday, everything is free, except on plane tickets and visas.
This was estimated at the airport exit. Hundreds of buses and cars were parked outside the airport.
Setting up a reasonable price from Basra to Karbala, or Najaf or wherever you want to go, these drivers will take you there and if you don't have the money, no worries, Basra residents are free of cost. I also looked ready to perform this service.
When the driver started to drive to Najaf, the driver made a bottle of water and a packet of dates.
Najaf is about four hours' drive from Basra and showed plenty of excitement despite checkpoints and tight security arrangements throughout the route.
Getty Images The driver started to drive to Najaf, so at his door the driver made a few words and handed me a bottle of water and a packet of dates.
Somewhere, people were seen carrying a luggage on their head towards Najaf, where people were sitting stalls to serve such travelers. It felt as if the whole country was involved in this important festival.
After three hours of travel, we stopped at a car. In the middle of the road, a man was standing with a black flag and was not letting any car forward.
He wished that the visitors could eat at his restaurant and start the journey again. Najaf was in a hurry to arrive, but the host insisted that he had to leave.
The restaurant was filled with complimentary words for Imam Hussain and his companions, and banners for the guests who arrived on Wednesday.
Chairs were set up outside the restaurant for men and women, while the restroom and dining area were adjacent to the restaurant.
There were mattresses on the carpet for women to rest on. On one side there was prayer, while on the other hand some Arab and Iranian women were eating.
Sheikh's entire family was very pleased with the service.
Hiking from Najaf to Karbala
After this short stop our bus reached Najaf after an hour's journey. The pilgrims' journey to Buddhism begins with the greeting of Hazrat Ali at Najaf.
The exact number of people who visit Najaf to Karbala on the occasion of Imam Hussein is made different every year, but according to a careful estimate, more than 300 million people are gathered in the area on Wednesday.
As soon as Najaf arrives, everyone is in a hurry to turn to Karbala. So most people leave their belongings in Najaf and go on foot to Karbala, carrying luggage, in small bags.
The distance from Najaf to Karbala is about 80 km. The road from Najaf to Karbala is called 'Najaf'. Most of the people who come for Wednesday are on the same road as Mishi (walking, pedestrian) to Karbala.
Now it depends on your strength, health and morale depending on how much you walk daily and how long you travel, but usually people who travel from Najaf to Karbala will make the trip in three to four days.
If this is your first time attending a Wednesday walk, I suggest you do not carry in your bag full of accessories from around the world as everything is available for free. Even if it is a bother to lift weights.
All kinds of arrangements are made for visitors to Najaf.
Everywhere in the world food is available, from food to baby pampers and tissue paper, for free.
Everywhere the Iraqis have 'makab' with their family names. You can call them lounges and lounges.
Here you can rest as long as you want from your prayers and charge your mobile and other items in the meantime.
The mask features indoor charging wires, Wi-Fi, hot meals, massage and toe presses to wash your dirty laundry.
If you get sick or you need a medicine, there is a medical stall with a staff every few kilometers.
Little children appear to have food items in large bins on their heads. They all insist that you eat their food.
In many places, it seems wrong to call this road the world's largest restaurant.
Getty Images In the Buddhist walk where there is no gender and age, this journey is not restricted to Shiite Muslims but to Sunni, Kurdish, Yazidi, Christian, people of every religion and region.
The Iraqis consider it a worship not only to the Buddhists but also to those who come to it, and that is why they do not hesitate to serve the visitors, and the entire Iraqi family appears to be pleased with the service.
One Iraqi said children are particularly involved in the process so that the service of visitors can continue from generation to generation.
Although 99% of the road arrangements on the road from Najaf to Karbala are done by local Iraqi, almost every country has a stall.
Somewhere in Pakistan, you are waiting for you to prepare tea and tea, and then suddenly a Lebanese comes in front of you and pushes it.
In the Buddhist Walk, where there is no gender and age difference, this journey is not restricted to Shiite Muslims, but to Sunni, Kurdish, Yazidi, Christian people of every religion and region.
Getty Images Women were taken to a room at a check post at Karbala and were told to sit quietly and drink tea while your goods are being checked.
An Iranian woman was heading to Karbala for her one-and-a-half-month-old baby. Their two children were sitting on a walker that her husband was driving.
At some distance, a young man was seen riding a wheelchair on a turbaned woman.
Upon discovering that her poor mother was unable to walk, she wished that this year would be Wednesday.
At one point, a woman dressed in black robes was seen in a row of camels. Their hands were tied to ropes.
On inquiry, it was learned that on Wednesday, several tribes from different parts of Iraq arrived in Karbala in memory of Karbala in the event of a procession that could reflect the events that took place in the meantime.
Karbala and Wednesday
At a check post at the Karbala border, women were taken to a room and told to sit quietly and drink tea while your goods were being checked.
It was dawn when our convoy entered Karbala. As we were entering the city limits, we were sitting on the sidewalk to bring some young Iraqi tea.
There was also a free WiFi messenger, so I informed the family who had been drinking tea.
Large scanners were installed at a checkpoint at some distance to check the goods of the visitors. Security personnel were well-mannered, but the check-in process was daunting.
Everyone in our line has been told to wait because the knives used in chains were recovered from a sir's luggage. We were told that any kind of knife, knife, etc. is prohibited in Karbala during Wednesday.
Karbala is probably the only city in the world where no one goes for entertainment. Almost all those who come here commemorate the great sacrifice of the Prophet and his family.
Getty Images Visitors come in from one side touch the piercing and go straight out
There are a total of 10 doors to enter Imam Hussain's house and every door was so rush to seek refuge from God.
In the beginning, I thought I would never be able to get in and even if I tried to go, my bones would be sore. Well this idea later proved to be wrong.
On the occasion of Wednesday, since millions of people come to Karbala and everyone's goal is to reach Imam Hussein, the Iraqis have arranged in such a way that it takes you two to three hours, but everyone reaches the disease. Is.
Visitors come in from one side, touch the piercing and head straight out.
Do not even think of standing here. There were very careful women dressed in black sheets, holding soft wavy sticks, as they held you for more than a second.
We heard a Pakistani woman say, 'We came from so far and we are not allowed to stand here for a few minutes.'
All of this may seem strange, but if everyone is allowed to stay there, no one will be able to reach the disease.
Arrangements for visitors to Karbala
Karbala also had arrangements like Ann Najaf. Vehicles with jamba dining stalls and mobile washrooms stood.
For those who cannot afford to stay in hotels, there are plans for free mattresses, blankets, pillows and washrooms.
Those who could not find a place in Makkab kept small tents in the streets. Those who did not bring the tents kept a blanket underneath and were sleeping on the sidewalk for fun.
Where did these blankets come from at night and where they disappear in the morning it was discovered the next day when I saw a huge truck full of blankets.
Every night, many such trucks roam the streets of Karbala and throw blankets. The next day, after dawn, the same truck comes back and collects these blankets.
I still do not understand how this small city can handle billions of people.
Fasting
20 Zero day is very important. Everyone leaves here for the same day, leaving his work and bearing the burden of the road.
Rush's situation was such that it only took me three hours to get to the outer door of the hospital, which was located a few minutes in front of my hotel.
The crowd was quiet, however, despite the crowd. Nobody appeared to be arguing with anyone or they could get into a riot.
With all calmness, Ramada was on his way to Imam Hussain as he believed that whatever happened, he would reach Ramada.
If a young woman is walking behind a young man, lightly tapping on the shoulder of the person next to him, he says that women are the way to go, and they leave the path for you as much as possible.
The people in this crowd were not people of any sect or civilization. Somewhere in the Christian religion, the people carrying the cross were heading towards Imam Hussein.
People from European and African countries were also going in to read the words in their languages, taking the flags of their respective countries.
Getty Images In the streets of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), there was the same uniform on every person's tongue, 'Lubeck or Hussein, Lubeck or Hussein
In the disease of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and in the surrounding streets, there was the same uniformity in the language of every person: Lubeck or Hussein, Lubeck or Hussein.
I was wondering what is the power in the sacrifice of a person who sacrificed for the religion of Islam 14 centuries ago that millions of people from all corners of the globe pulled to Karbala to grieve for them and to remember their sacrifice. come.
It seems that everyone has a personal connection to Imam Hussein that no one else can understand, and it is this passion that brings people of all faiths to Karbala from all corners of the globe and the Iraqi family from family to family. Worship.
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