A Palestinian flag hangs over a tent in Iraq's Karbala during the commemoration of the Arbaeen, as pilgrims walk underneath it, August 20, 2024 (Social media)

The annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, renowned as the largest gathering of people globally, has taken on a new dimension this year in light of the genocide being carried out against Palestinians in Gaza.

The event, traditionally a commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the prophet, in the battle of Karbala, has become a powerful platform for raising awareness about the plight of the Palestinian people amidst the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza.

This year's 80-kilometer journey from Najaf to Karbala, where millions of pilgrims march on foot, has been marked by a flood of Palestinian symbols, which make for a bold statement against the war crimes and crimes against humanity that have riddled the besieged Gaza Strip over the past 10 months.

The governor of Karbala also attended the event, donning the Palestinian Keffiyeh as a gesture of solidarity. The governor's act of solidarity was not an isolated one. Across the pilgrimage, countless participants have been seen wearing the Palestinian Keffiyeh, a symbol of Resistance and support for the Palestinian cause.

The Palestinian flag has also become a common sight along the route, more so than in previous years, as it is waved by pilgrims and displayed alongside the banners of various communities offering food and services to travelers.

The pro-Palestine sentiment has captured social media users, who have been sharing images and stories from the procession, amplifying the message of solidarity across the globe.

The Arbaeen pilgrimage, marking 40 days since Ashura, the 10th of the month of Muharram, commemorates the sacrifice of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his companions in Karbala over 1,400 years ago.

The lessons from that battle, where Imam Hussein chose death in dignity over surrender to tyranny, resonate strongly with the current situation in Gaza. Just as Imam Hussein was besieged and denied water for his family and companions, Palestinians in Gaza are today under a similar siege, their children also suffering from thirst.

This year, the Arbaeen pilgrimage has become a transnational and global event, with participants from different nationalities uniting under the banner of justice and freedom. The horrific scenes from Gaza have inspired many to raise the Palestinian flag during this largest annual gathering on the planet, attended by over 20 million people, turning the pilgrimage into a movement for global solidarity.