Islamabad, Aug 31: Due to a lack of aircraft, hundreds of Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq for Arbaeen have been left detained at Baghdad Airport; more than fifty of their passports have apparently been misplaced by airport personnel.
Men, women, and kids have reportedly been waiting for unconfirmed planes at the airport since 4 a.m., according to Express News. The Pakistanis who are stuck stated they had not been told when or how they will be allowed to continue traveling. One pilgrim complained, “We’ve been sitting hungry and thirsty at the airport since 4 a.m., and no one is addressing our concerns.”
“Our flight to Islamabad departed at 9 a.m., leaving us behind in Baghdad,” a female pilgrim continued. The government is unable to find our passports. She said that when they arrived in Iraq, passports were confiscated by Iraqi airport employees. Pakistani nationals have pleaded with the government to assist in settling the dispute.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq, which peaked last Sunday, drew almost 21 million Muslims this year, many of whom demonstrated their support for Gaza. The Arabic word for forty, Arbaeen, signifies the 40th day of mourning for the killing of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) (PBUH).
Two enormous mausoleums facing each other are home to Imam Hussain (AS) and his brother Abbas (AS) in Karbala. In remembrance of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), who was slain in 680 A.D. during the Battle of Karbala, pilgrims express their grief by crying and mourning. In light of the continuing crisis in Gaza, pilgrims this year prominently displayed Palestinian flags during the trek.
