The 9th International Scientific Conference on the Arbaeen Pilgrimage, held in Holy Karbala under the theme “Arbaeen: Embodiment of Spiritual Values and Scientific Advancement”, concluded with wide-ranging recommendations to strengthen both the spiritual significance and logistical management of the world’s largest annual gathering.
Organized by the Karbala Center for Studies and Research in collaboration with the University of Baghdad and the Academic Council for Arbaeen, the event brought together Iraqi and international scholars and experts.
Key Recommendations
- Education and Cultural Heritage:
- Incorporate Arbaeen’s spiritual and humanitarian values into national curricula, in cooperation with Iraq’s Ministries of Education and Higher Education.
- Train educators in modern teaching methods to effectively convey these values.
- Support academic research on Arbaeen’s history and cultural significance.
- Establish a museum, archival center, and memorials to honor pilgrims and showcase traditions of generosity and solidarity.
- Technology and Infrastructure:
- Enhance crowd management through AI, drones, thermal cameras, and predictive analytics.
- Expand transport routes and create dedicated pathways for people with disabilities.
- Sustainability:
- Introduce integrated waste management and recycling systems.
- Apply green urban planning principles along pilgrimage routes.
- Global Engagement and Research:
- Launch multilingual media campaigns to raise international awareness.
- Foster global academic partnerships and create a unified research database.
- Establish an annual research grant program focused on Arbaeen studies.
- Community Inclusion:
- Strengthen the role of youth and women in service, logistics, and research efforts tied to the pilgrimage.
The recommendations reflect a growing emphasis on blending spiritual values with modern science, technology, and sustainability, ensuring the Arbaeen pilgrimage continues to evolve as both a deeply religious experience and a model of large-scale event management.
