Iraq Shrine Visits

It was 5, 6 years ago.Iraq shrine visitsI also had the chance to do it. The brutal, disproportionate war was still continuing. Despite these conditions, we were still happy that we visit God’s holy servants.

In Iraq, especially Hz. There are tombs of many holy and historical figures, the children of Muhammad and his descendants. When we entered Iraq, tents were set up everywhere. Those who had no means can stay in these free tents.

Our group consisted of 3 buses. Due to war conditions, we did not go directly from Istanbul to Iraq. First we had to go to Iran and then to Iraq. Iraq was in ruins due to war and sanctions. Those who were well off had left the country.

Hospitality of the Iraqi People

Despite this, when we moved to Iraq, our accommodation and other needs were met by the local people. The basic needs of not only us but also 25.30 million visitors were met free of charge. These free services were only valid for Imam Hussein’s visitors. In other words, everything was paid for visitors in another Islamic country. There is a tragic story behind why this happens. We first came to Najaf by bus. We are walking towards the tomb of Imam Ali. Why are we going on foot? Because walking is more acceptable to God.

An Englishman in Najaf, Iraq

Before we even started walking, something caught my and my friends’ eyes.

A spastic disabled young man, aged 20-25, was hitting himself in the chest like us. He was also picking up the garbage on the ground with his hand to be useful. When we looked carefully, we saw that this young man was exactly the British and American type. He had brown hair and blue eyes. That young man was living proof that harassment also took place in these sacred lands.

An Unexpected Explosion

Iraq shrine visits We continued our walk within the scope of Some young people who were holding banners. As I remember, after walking for about half an hour, we heard an explosion. We thought terrorists had detonated a bomb. We ran left and right. Then we saw that an Iraqi young man carrying a standard was lying on the ground. It turns out that the metal end of the starboard was caught in the low electrical cables. That’s why the Iraqi young man was martyred there. After this sad event, we continued on our way with elegies and sighs. There was a massive crowd everywhere.

If your eyes fill with tears at the shrine you visit, it means your visit is accepted by God. Thank God, my eyes were filled with tears in every shrine I went to. While visiting those holy people, I thought about what they suffered while fighting for the dignity and freedom of humanity. They were always subjected to the oppression of cruel administrators. And they all became martyrs for this cause.

Hz. in Samarra, Iraq. We did not stay long at the tomb of Ali Naki (A.S). We just had to look from afar, pray and leave in a hurry. Because it was the most dangerous place. One of the biggest goals of the terrorists was to remove the traces and shrines left from Islam.

Iraq shrine visits. Finally, we are again in the city of Najaf, the tomb of Imam Ali. And now the last days are near. The 40th day of Imam Hussein’s martyrdom has arrived. And we started a famous, hidden, and unique march in the world. Arbaeen March, this was a march of rebellion against oppression.