By Djaffar Shalchi
Founder of Human Act & Humanity 4 Palestine

Every year, millions of pilgrims from across the globe converge on Karbala, Iraq, to commemorate Arbaeen. It is a profound act of collective remembrance and solidarity.

This year, I would like to harness that same spirit of unity and compassion for a new cause: the people of Gaza.

Our campaign, Walk for Palestine, invites everyone, whether in Karbala or their own hometown, to take 40 symbolic steps for Gaza, record the moment, and share it with the world, using #40StepsToGaza.

Why This Movement Matters?

In this fractured world, moments of genuine unity are rare and precious. Arbaeen is a testament to what can happen when people set aside differences and walk together for a shared purpose.

Similarly, the genocide in Gaza demands global attention and collective action. By linking the centuries-old message of Imam  Hussein with the pressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we create a bridge of empathy that transcends borders, sects, and politics.

I believe that if Imam Hussein was alive today, he would also encourage everyone to walk towards Gaza instead of Karbala to stand for justice. History keeps repeating. What happened in Karbala is happening today in Gaza.

Why Walking?

A simple act, like taking 40 steps, captured on camera, can reignite awareness and compassion. Sunni and Shia Muslims share core principles of justice, mercy, and resistance to oppression. This campaign channels those shared values into tangible solidarity with Gaza.

Walking is more than symbolism; it is a physical reminder that every step we take can push back against indifference.

A Brief History of Arbaeen

“Arbaeen” means “forty” in Arabic and marks forty days after the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, when Imam  Hussein was martyred while standing against tyranny. His sacrifice became an enduring symbol of resistance, justice, and selfless compassion.

Every year, over twenty million pilgrims make their way to Imam  Hussein’s shrine and shape the largest peaceful procession on earth. They walk for a few days, endure harsh weather and crowded routes, all to honor his message.

Along the way, volunteers offer water, food, shelter, and medical care to strangers. This act of communal generosity is a living proof of the values Imam  Hussein upheld.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

For decades, Gaza has been under blockade and recurrent military assaults, leaving its 2.3 million inhabitants trapped between violence and scarcity. Today’s situation has reached catastrophic levels.

  • Borders remain tightly controlled, restricting the flow of food, medicine, and vital supplies.
  • Repeated airstrikes and ground operations have reduced neighborhoods to rubble, destroying homes, schools, and hospitals.
  • Families endure chronic shortages of clean water, electricity, and healthcare. Children grow up knowing only the sounds of sirens and explosions.

United Nations agencies warn that Gaza’s civilian population faces one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in the world. Hospitals operate on dwindling supplies; clean water is a luxury rather than a right; and psychological trauma runs deep among children who have never known peace.

One Land: Gaza and Karbala

What links Karbala and Gaza? At its heart, it is a shared story of standing against oppression and refusing to let tyranny extinguish hope. Let’s take a deeper look.

Message of Resistance

  • In 680 CE, Hussein stood alone against an unjust ruler, choosing truth over safety.
  • Today’s Gazans stand in the face of overwhelming force, resisting occupation and voicelessness with unbreakable spirit.

Spirit of Compassion

  • Millions open their homes and hearts to support pilgrims, and demonstrate that solidarity isn’t just a slogan.
  • By walking 40 steps, we offer our own version of that hospitality and say: “We see you. We stand with you.”

Global Call for Justice

  • Pilgrimage as Protest: Arbaeen is a protest in motion and collective demand for dignity and justice.
  • #40StepsToGaza: Our 40-step walk movement is a peaceful protest that leverages social media to amplify the call for an end to Gaza’s suffering.

A Global Opportunity to Raise Palestine’s Voice

Arbaeen represents the world’s largest annual gathering of Muslims. Over 20 million pilgrims, united by a shared commitment to justice and compassion. This isn’t just a spiritual journey; it’s a powerful platform for raising awareness about critical humanitarian issues.

By integrating the plight of Palestinians into Arbaeen’s narrative, we tap into an collective voice that vanish borders and sectarian divides. Imagine millions of footsteps in Karbala echoing the call for justice in Gaza. Each step becomes a statement and raises the story of Palestine to audiences around the globe.

What I Want You to Do

Walk, Record, Share, Stand!

  1. Take 40 Steps for Gaza

It does not matter where you are, maybe in a park or on the road to Karbala. Pause and take 40 steps. Each step is a sign to remember Gaza’s people and to push for change.

We chose this number because the word “Arbaeen” means forty, and also the Gaza Strip is 40 kilometers long.

  1. Record Your Walk

Film or photograph your 40 steps in any style you prefer. You can use symbols of Gaza like the Palestinian flag or keffiyeh, or just do a simple walk.

  1. Post and Tag

Share your content as a post or story on Instagram or X. Tag @humanity4palestine and use #40StepsToGaza.

Conclusion

Our footsteps can echo the call for justice, mercy, and dignity. This is more than a symbolic movement. Join us, walk with us, and together we will show the world that compassion knows no borders.

Today, our story begins. Tomorrow, Gaza’s dawn will break.

http://humanityforpalestine.org

 

 

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Our partners & collaborators

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