The provision of services and hospitality during the Arba'in visitation is a social practice performed across the central and southern regions of Iraq, where millions of visitors begin their pilgrimage towards the Holy City of Karbala to visit the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein. Vast numbers of people contribute their time and resources to providing the pilgrims with free services, including prayer halls, guest houses and free overnight accommodation. The practice is deeply rooted in the Iraqi and Arab tradition of hospitality and considered to be a defining element of Iraq’s cultural identity.

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