We can describe the Arbaeen pilgrimage as a social and ceremonial event that has established a new, more advanced concept than the prevailing cultural concepts such as globalization, the clash of civilizations, and others. We can term this concept “civilizational cross-pollination,” which in turn leads to harmony among racial, ethnic, and cultural diversities based on shared human values. This diplomacy has successfully established itself as a progressive tool for achieving peace.<\/p>\n
In the 19th century, Sir Ernest Satow defined diplomacy as the peaceful conduct of relations between states. If we examine the situation in Iraq after 2003, we might find that the most significant social event affecting Iraq’s international relations is the Arbaeen pilgrimage. In the modern world, influencing peoples is tantamount to influencing decision-makers, and intellectual influence is the most effective tool. Intellectual influence, as explained by Sigmund Freud in his analysis of the social nature of the human mind, can occur in two ways: conscious influence and unconscious influence. Unconscious influence is intellectual influence that arises from actual practices that build intellectual impressions. Herein lies the importance of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, which can be explained as follows:<\/p>\n
First: \u201cMawkib\u201d and International Relations<\/p>\n
We can define a Mawkib as a small, non-profit institution that provides a particular service to the pilgrim participating in this ceremonial event. If we extremely understood the the social influence method that mentioned in the previous paragraph , we can deduce that these institutions, spread along the pilgrim’s route to Karbala, are among the most important tools for direct impact on foreign pilgrims. This influence gradually develops to establish new principles of cooperation between their countries and Iraq, which is seen as the capital of this event.<\/p>\n
For instance, if we study Iraq’s relationship with Pakistan, a nuclear-advanced state, we find a fluctuating relationship that began in 1947, when Iraq became the first Arab country to recognize Pakistan\u2019s independence from India. This relationship evolved through their mutual membership in the Baghdad Pact, Iraq\u2019s stance during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, the tension after the expulsion of the Iraqi ambassador in 1973, and the increased tension in 1991. However, the relationship saw a renewed effort to improve after 2003, particularly since 2021, with reciprocal visits between officials from both countries continuing to this day. Yet, the relationship can be characterized by two main themes: a security theme, whose importance varies by circumstance and time, and a social theme, with Arbaeen being one of its most prominent elements.<\/p>\n
In 2023, after Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid received Pakistani Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, there was talk of hosting 100,000 Pakistani pilgrims during the Arbaeen pilgrimage. Here, the cultural influence of the Arbaeen pilgrimage and the shared importance in strengthening the relationship between the two countries becomes evident.<\/p>\n
Another example is Iraq’s relations with the Gulf states, where shared concerns of security, economy, and civilization are the main determinants of this relationship. The Arbaeen pilgrimage is classified under the social and civilizational theme, although its influence varies from one state to another. It may be more influential in Bahrain and Kuwait than elsewhere, but the trend line shows an upward trajectory, especially after the new political climate with Saudi Arabia. The same principle applies to most other countries whose citizens participate in this event, such as Central Asian and African countries.<\/p>\n
Returning to the beginning, here we find the role of the Mawkib (in its general definition as a service front) and other service fronts in influencing foreigners, who in return will influence public opinion in their countries, which then impacts decision-makers, although this influence varies from one country to another.<\/p>\n
Second: The Black Snake and the Tunnel of Light<\/p>\n
In 2003, after the fall of the former regime in Iraq, the term “black snake” became famous, adopted by some U.S. administration figures monitoring the Iraqi situation to describe the Arbaeen pilgrimage. This description, as expressed by researchers and observers at the time, reflects the world’s understanding of the power and impact of this event, as the black snake is one of the most deadly and powerful types of snakes. Indeed, in the early stages after 2003, many tried to portray this event as being politically motivated or having a specific agenda.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, one thinker described this event as the “Tunnel of Light.” Both descriptions represent an engineering image known as “Top view,” which means a live overhead image. Just as all roads lead to Rome, the lines of pilgrims and all roads lead to one capital\u2014Karbala. The expression differed according to ideological, religious, or political views.<\/p>\n
After 20 years of the fall of the former regime and after the political and social situation in Iraq has changed, especially with the new global will to make Iraq a stable environment that may serve the multiple interests of the world\u2014being a commercial transit route from one side, a link between East and West from a geopolitical perspective on the other side, and a country distinguished by its economic and civilizational importance on the third side. The event has proven itself to be a humanitarian one, not politically tied to any thought or group, transcending even the religious and sectarian concept. We can conclude here that even the counter-philosophy, known as the black snake, has begun to develop into a philosophy of the tunnel of light. In this regard, this event has proven its acceptability within the international scope, not just the regional one, which may increase its diplomatic and social influence to become a theme of reassurance and stability, especially since an event of this magnitude has become a primary element of a strong Iraq that has been able to maintain its security and provide the necessary security, logistical, and coordination cover for it.<\/p>\n
Third: Cultural and Economic Exchange<\/p>\n
Although this event and its service tools are non-profit, providing the pilgrim with their needs for free, the Arbaeen pilgrimage has a more significant economic impact within the scientific understanding of the economic meaning. For example, in an article published by the Najaf Chamber of Commerce on August 6 of this year, they expressed that the Arbaeen pilgrimage is one of the most important events for stimulating the economic cycle in Iraq, especially since most of the products used by the Mawkib organizers and those serving the pilgrims are locally made products. This leads to an increase in food production, which reflects on the agricultural materials consumed, leading to an increase in demand during the months of Muharram and Safar, prompting more attention towards planting crops, among other things.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the development of trade exchange between countries is an essential element for stimulating economic activity and strengthening the Iraqi dinar, which will be dealt with by more than 5 million foreign visitors to Iraq during this pilgrimage. Besides all of the above, trade exchange also has a cultural impact, as it is a key element in exporting Iraqi folklore goods and social influence materials, such as food and Iraqi clothing, to foreigners. This provides a rare tool for clarifying the Iraqi social lifestyle to others, which in turn leads to more openness in Iraq and attracts foreigners to get to know Iraq. It contributes to building social relational ties between different societies and increasing the openness of the Iraqi environment to the outside world, which had been closed off for more than four decades in the last century. This greatly contributes to raising Iraq’s ability to strengthen and consolidate its effectiveness and influence in foreign affairs as an essential participant with these countries.<\/p>\n
Fourth: Arbaeen and the Gulf Cup 25<\/p>\n
The Arabian Gulf Cup 25, hosted by Iraq in Basra in 2023, was a landmark event that greatly influenced regional and Gulf public opinion, particularly after Iraqis distinguished themselves by their warm reception and hospitality towards foreign guests who entered Iraq to attend the tournament. We wouldn\u2019t be exaggerating to say that the societal characteristics that accompanied this sports event were inspired by the Arbaeen pilgrimage, which, over the past 20 years, has been a large and extensive training course for the Iraqi individual in concepts of altruism, generosity, and hospitality.<\/p>\n
Some researchers may point out that these characteristics are instinctual for Iraqis and reflect the values of Arabism and patriotism that have distinguished the people of this geography since ancient times. However, reality indicates a proactive relationship between the two concepts. If the question is whether societal values gave Arbaeen its brilliance or if Arbaeen developed and improved these high societal values, we must study history step by step.<\/p>\n
The historical researcher finds that these values are innate in the Iraqi community spirit, and this cannot be denied. However, historically, the Arbaeen pilgrimage has, since its early days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and its growing prominence after Imam Hassan al-Askari highlighted it, begun forming a new, evolved pattern for societies that have suffered from moral and ethical decay due to colonialism, successive wars, and the impact of colonizers throughout history\u2014from the Umayyad dynasty to the modern Iraq after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, then the search era, and finally to democratic Iraq after 2003.<\/p>\n
Reviewing history reveals that Arbaeen is the primary shaper and motivator of these high values. When studied closely, it becomes clear that this vital role cannot be fulfilled without a significant event like this pilgrimage, which has established, strengthened, and developed these essential societal values. These values, in turn, are one of the tools for building peace, fostering the coexistence of peoples, and opening up to one another, allowing for cooperation based on a culture of trust in values among nations. This illustrates the diplomatic role that the Arbaeen pilgrimage can play in this regard.<\/p>\n
Fifth: Arbaeen and Modern Technology<\/p>\n
After the tremendous technical and digital development that the world is witnessing, in 2016, Klaus Martin Schwab, Chairman of the World Economic Forum (Davos), expressed that the world is currently living within what is called the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by the integration of technologies that blur the lines between physical, digital, and biological fields. This revolution relies on the presence of emerging technologies in many fields, such as robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and others.<\/p>\n
Some theorists may go so far as to predict the advent of a Fifth Industrial Revolution, where artificial intelligence, after its further development and widespread adoption, will become an integral part of political, social, and cultural movements, even in individuals’ lives. Given the considerations discussed regarding the Arbaeen pilgrimage, we can deduce that this event and artificial intelligence will have many interactions in the future.<\/p>\n
When I asked artificial intelligence (specifically: the ChatGPT-3 engine from OpenAI), “What is the largest single religious procession in the world?” the answer was (and I quote): “The largest religious procession in the world is the Arbaeen pilgrimage, where millions of Shiites from around the world go to Karbala in Iraq. Participants in this procession walk to commemorate the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. In recent years, the number of participants in this procession has been estimated to be between 20 and 30 million people making it the largest annual human gathering in the world.<\/p>\n
Given that this event draws significant global media attention\u2014with an estimated 1,500 local and foreign media channels covering it and more than 800 news agencies and global newspapers, including Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Xinhua, and world-renowned newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post\u2014we can understand the close connection between this event and international public opinion, as well as advanced technological media.<\/p>\n
Returning to the beginning, we asked artificial intelligence the following question: “How can we invest in artificial intelligence to market the Arbaeen pilgrimage and increase its regional and global impact?”<\/p>\n
The response was as follows:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0 – Comment: In a conversation with Sheikh Ahmed Salman Al-Tunisi, he described the Arbaeen pilgrimage as the only event in the world that experiences a continuous, gradual rise, akin to a steadily ascending graph. Here, the opinion of artificial intelligence aligns with the view presented.<\/p>\n
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All of this could lead to an increase in the impact of Arbaeen diplomacy, which will contribute more to promoting dialogue and cultural understanding, influencing policy-making, developing regional infrastructure such as important transport routes, and highlighting humanitarian issues and more.<\/p>\n
Alabbas F. Alsudani<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We can describe the Arbaeen pilgrimage as a social and ceremonial event that has established a new, more advanced concept than the prevailing cultural concepts such as globalization, the clash of civilizations, and others. We can term this concept “civilizational cross-pollination,” which in turn leads to harmony among racial, ethnic, and cultural diversities based on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5019,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[250],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-shiism-international-affairs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5021"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5021\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5023,"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5021\/revisions\/5023"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sumeria.iq\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}