API Fellows Take You to the World's Largest Annual Pilgrimage (May 19, 2020)

September 03, 2020 / 12:55 pm

The annual Arba'een starts this year on October 8. Leon McCarron and Emily Garthwaite share stories of kindness and hospitality they experienced while participating in the Arba'een pilgrimage in Iraq. One website notes, "Don't bring anything to eat or drink; there is already too much (for free) on the way." Close to 20,000,000 people have participated in the 50-mile walk from Najaf to Karbala in past years. This year no international visitors will be granted visas due to the COVID crisis.  The pilgrimage honors the martyrdom of Hussein, grandson of Muhammad the Prophet; Muslims and non-Muslims alike are welcomed. Leon and Emily then take us to the spectacular mountain ranges in the Kurdish region of Northern Iraq, where API has begun scouting new walking trails. The trails with guides and homestay hosts will be ready for visitors when travel and tourism return to the region.