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Karbala Pilgrimage - Arbaeen Escorted by Janab Khursheed Abedi

Overview In religion & sprituality, pilgrimage is a long journey in search of great moral significance. Sometimes, it is a journey to a shrine of importance to a person's beliefs & faith. Members of many major religions participate in pilgrimages. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim. Charles Dickens - (1812-1870) English novelists of the Victorian period: “If Hussain fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam.” Edward Gibbon - (1737-1794) considered the greatest British historian of his time. : "In a distant age and climate the tragic scene of the death of Hussain will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader”. [The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London, 1911, volume 5, pp. 391-2] Mahatma Gandhi - (1869 – 1948) lawyer, leader of the uprising in India In a statement published in 'Young India,'1924 : “I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.... I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of Hussain, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission to save Islam. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. He also said: “I learned from Hussain how to be wronged and be a winner.” Muhammad Iqbal - (1873-1938) philosopher, poet, and political thinker: “Imam Hussain uprooted despotism forever till the Day of Resurrection. He watered the dry garden of freedom with the surging wave of his blood, and indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Hussain had aimed at acquiring a worldly empire, he would not have travelled the way he did (from Medina to Karbala). Hussain weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily he, therefore, became the bed-rock (foundation) of the Muslim creed; La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah).” Sir William Muir - (1819-1905) Scottish scholar and statesman. (Held the post of Foreign Secretary to the Indian government as well as Lieutenant Governor of the North-western Provinces.) : "The tragedy of Karbala decided not only the fate of the caliphate, but of the Mohammedan kingdoms long after the Caliphate had waned & disappeared”. [Annals of the Early Caliphate, London, 1883, pp. 441-2] Thomas Carlyle - (1795-1881) Famous British historian “The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Hussain and his companions were the rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood. The victory of Hussain despite his minority marvels me!” This is what some of the notables of the time believed. On this Journey, you will get the opportunity to visit & pray at the shrines of the glorious followers of Islam, who made such a lasting impression. Walk in the footsteps of the Martyrs & rediscover Islam

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Day City Activities (Tour + Ziyarat)*

01 Toronto Depart

02 Cairo Arrive / FD Pyramids + City (Optional - extra payment)

03 Cairo Baghdad Depart / Arrive / PM Al-Kadhimia Mosque + Shrines

Baghdad Najaf

04 Najaf AM / PM Imam Ali Mosque + Wadi-as-salam

05 Najaf AM / PM Masjid al-Kuda + Kufa Ziyarat sites

06 Najaf Karbala AM Ziyarat sites / PM Visit to Ayatollah Sistani*

07 Karbala FD Free for Prayers and / or Ziyarats

08 Karbala AM / PM Mausoleum of Imam al-Husayn + al - Makhayam

09 Karbala AM Imam Mahdi‟s place + Zainabi Hill + Walking Tour


11 Karbala AM / PM Arba’een Processions & Majlis




15 Karbala Baghdad AM / PM Samarra Mosque + Al-Askareyya Shrine + Caliph's Residence

Baghdad Cairo Arrive

16 Cairo Toronto Depart

17 Toronto Arrive

*All activities, are subject to change without notice and at the informed discretion of Janab Khursheed Abedi sahib.

** Zaireens can opt for a side trip to Iran (subject to current flight availability), before or after Arbaeen. Please contact us for details.





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What you will discover :

Toronto * Cairo * Baghdad * Kadhimia * Najaf * Kufa * Karbala * Samarra * Baghdad * Cairo * Toronto

17 Days / 14 Nights

Day 1 - 14 December: Depart Toronto MS 996 at 11:45 am Proceed to Terminal 1 - Toronto Lester Pearson Airport, on your own at least 4 hours prior. You would be met by Janab Khursheed Abedi, who will assist during your Check-in and formally introduce to other members of the Group. In time, proceed through Security and board the flight. Night on board.

Day 2 - 15 December: Arrive Cairo at 06:15 am Welcome to Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs. The capital, Cairo has been the largest city in Africa and the Middle East ever since the Mongols wasted Imperial Baghdad in 1258. Acknowledged as Umm Dunya or "Mother of the World" by medieval Arabs, and as Great Cairo by 19

th century Europeans. As

Egypt has been a prize for conquerors from Alexander the Great to Rommel, so Cairo has been a fulcrum of power in the Arab world from the Crusades unto the present day. More than 16 million people call Cairo home and it's chaotic, exotic, smelly, dusty and also beautiful. Perhaps the most interesting section of Cairo is medieval (Islamic) Cairo. Medieval Cairo is a warren of streets just bustling with life. There are mosques at every corner, Coptic churches, huge medieval gates and bazaars selling everything from motorbike parts to perfumes. The ulema of its thousand-year-old Al-Azhar Mosque (for centuries the foremost centre of Islamic intellectual life) remains the ultimate religious authority for millions of Sunni Muslims, from Jakarta to Birmingham. Wherever Arabic is spoken, Cairo's cultural magnetism is felt. Every strand of Egyptian society knits and unravels in this febrile megalopolis. You will be met on arrival at Cairo Intl. Airport by Egyptair staff & transferred to the hotel where you will stay till your onward flight the next day. We have arranged for an “optional” sightseeing Tour of Cairo for those who don‟t want to spend their time in the hotel and are interested in discovering this historical city. Your Tour-guide will meet you in the lobby at the pre-determined time to show you around. Drive to Giza Plateau, site of the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx, whose grandeur remains unsurpassed more than 4,000 years after they were erected. The great Pyramids of Giza are some of the most famous manmade objects in the world, and they have been famous since ancient times. In fact, the great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives. However, there are actually over one hundred Pyramids in Egypt, including at least eight more at Giza (two belonging to kings and six to queens). For example, the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Sakkara is extremely important as the first Pyramid built in Egypt, though it is not a true, smooth sided one. There are also a number of pyramids in and around Dashur that are important because they show the evolution, including the failures and the first success of the pyramid builders, as they tried to build the first true, smooth sided pyramid. Other later Pyramids are less spectacular, sometimes made of mudbrick and therefore not as well preserved today, but still important, because they are the first to be decorated with inscriptions and various scenes. For example, the ruined Pyramids of Unas at Sakkara was the first one that we know of to be inscribed with the 128 magical spells of the Pyramid text. Later, proceed for an excursion to Memphis, capital of the ancient kingdom. Much of Memphis' splendor has been destroyed, but the Alabaster Sphinx built in the 18th Dynasty still remains, as does the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the world's oldest free standing stone structure.





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Take the opportunity to visit the Solar Boat Museum, where Cheops' reconstructed funeral barge is on display. Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure for optional activities. Overnight. B L D

Day 3 - 16 December: Depart Cairo MS 637 at 09:30 am Arrive Baghdad at 01:00 pm → Kadhimia Najaf (124 kms) In time, you would be transferred to Cairo International Airport to board your flight for Baghdad. Welcome to Iraq. After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Baghdad International Airport, subsequent to customs & immigration, you will be met by a Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & see you off for your short trip to Najaf, enroute visiting the the Shrines at the al-Kadhimiya Mosque. Kadhimia is a town located in what is now a northern neighbourhood of Baghdad.Also known as Al-Kazimayn, it is regarded as a holy city in Shia Islam. It received its name for the two Shia Imams buried there: Musa al - Kadhim and his grandson and successor Mohammad al-Taqi. A shrine was first built over their tombs, and subsequently evolved into the al-Kadhimiya Mosque. The area that now constitutes al-Kazimiyyah was originally the location of a graveyard reserved for members of the Quresh tribe. This land was set aside for this purpose by the Abbasid caliph, Harun al-Rasheed. In its early history, the town was an important center of Shia learning, perhaps the main center, but over time the town declined, and other cities rose to prominence. The location of the city has lent it to numerous plunders, that have resulted in damage to its shrines at different times in history. Among the most damage ever experienced by the town was after the Mongol sack of Baghdad where the shrine of the Shia Imams was burnt down. The area was also an important center of resistance against the British after World War I. Spend time in contemplation before continuing on the drive to the holy city of Najaf. Najaf has been an important place of pilgrimage for Shiites since Ali's death in 661 AD. In the course of the conflict, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ali, was killed at Najaf in 661. Ali was the Prophet's closest relative and the one whom the Shiites saw as the Prophet's true successor, and he is regarded as a great saint and martyr. Najaf in arabic means a high land where water cannot be reached. It is a city situated on high plateau over a sandy ground looking down from northern and eastern sides on wide scope camp of domes and tombs called valley of the peace. Najaf is a city of low-level sprawl, with boulevards lined by trees, arched brick buildings and streets filled with bearded clerics wearing white or black turbans. It is estimated that only Mecca & Medina receive more Muslim pilgrims. Najaf is renowned as the site of the tomb of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (also known as Imam Ali), the cousin and son-in-law of the prophet Muhammad whom the Shia consider to be the righteous caliph (656-661) and first Imam. Najaf is also known for being an Islamic center for scientific, literary and theological studies for the whole Islamic world and mainly for the Shiites, therefore the city attracts a large number of people, poets, authors and other visitors from all over the world, estimated in millions. Like Karbala, Najaf became an important center of Islamic scholarship and theology and over the centuries, numerous hospices, schools, libraries and Sufi convents were built around the shrine. Najaf also contains one of the largest cemeteries in the world. According to Imam Ali, any Muslim buried here will enter paradise; as a result, the tombs of several prophets are found in Najaf. Shia Muslims especially consider it a privilege to be buried here.





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On arrival, check-in at the hotel, located in the vicinity of the Shrine. Khursheed saheb will help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next few days. Evening free to relax and / or to pray. Overnight. B L D

Day 4 - 17 December: Najaf Kufa Najaf (Drive : 10 kms x 2)

Early morning, depart for an excursion to Kufa which was the capital of Islam during the reign of Imam Ali. Kufa is located on the west bank of the Euphrates River and along with Samarra, Karbala, Kadhimiya & Najaf, it is one of five Iraqi cities that are of great importance to Shia Muslims. The city was the final capital of Ali ibn Abi Talib and was founded within the first century of the 622. It is a place where Arab calligraphy was perfected into the splendid Kufic style. The principal monuments in Kufa are the Great Mosque and the Dar al-Imara, or Governor's Palace. The Mosque was the first thing to be built in Kufa. The Muslims inhabited Kufa in the year 17 A.H., directly after the conquest of Iraq. Visit the historical Mosque and the Tombs of Muslem Ibn Aqeel, Imam Hussain. You will also see the house of Imam Ali ; Mausoleum of Sayyida Khadijatul Sughra daughter of Imam Ali - outside Masjid Kufa ; Mausoleum of Prophet Yunus - near the river ; Kooba of Ebrahim ibn Hasan al - Muthanna ibn Imam Hasan ; Mausoleum of Maytham al - Tammar, companion of Imam Ali ; Mosque of Saasa ibn Sauhan, companion of Imam Ali. Lunch in the local restaurant and then continue on to Masjid Sahla where you would see the Mosalla of 6

th Imam Jaafar al Sadiq ; Prophet Ibrahim ; Prophet Idris ; Prophet Khidr - also called Maqam al-

Saleheen ; Maqam of Imam Jaafar al - Sadiq and Mosque of Zaid. The Great Mosque of Kufa, or Masjid al-Kufa is one of the earliest mosques in Islam. It was constructed in the middle of the 7th century after the Caliph Omar established the city. The mosque contains the remains of Muslim ibn Ali - first cousin of Husayn ibn Ali, his companion Hani ibn Urwa and the revolutionary Mukhtar al Thaqafi. The Mosque is revered for various reasons:

It was the place where Ali was fatally struck on the head

Contains the tombs of Muslim ibn Aqil, Hani ibn Urwa & Mukhtar al Thgafi.

There are markers within the mosque indicating the locations for where the court of Ali used to preside, where he was claimed to perform miracles, and where Ali ibn Husayn & Jaafaer as Sadiq used to perform salah.

Islamic traditions also relate that Adam established the mosque, that it was later the dwelling place of Noah and that this was the place where he built the Ark

Traditions say that 12,000 Prophets had performed Salah within this mosque, including Abraham, Noah & Muhammad on the Night of Ascension - all are marked within the mosque

It was from this mosque that the diluvium of Noah started submerging earth, as well as being the place from where the water was re-absorbed according to Shia belief - also marked within the Mosque

Imam Jafar Sadiq said that up to twelve miles of land in all directions from the mosque are blessed by its holiness.

Jafar as Sadiq was also recorded as remarking that the "mosque in Kufa is superior to that of Jerusalem and that "performing two prostrations of prayer here would be better for me than ten others at any mosque."





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There are also traditions which state that performing one prayer in this mosque is the same as having performed one thousand prayers elsewhere, and performing one obligatory prayer here is equal to having performed an accepted Hajj

The Secretariat of Al-Kufa Mosque and it Shrines describes the mosque as being one of the sole four dignified mosques to which Muslims must travel, and that it comes in third place after the Kaaba and the mosque of Prophet."

Return to the hotel. Evening free to relax or to pray. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight. B L D

Day 5 - 18 December: Najaf Morning, proceed for your Ziyarat, accompanied by Khursheed sahib. Visit the holy Mosque & Tomb of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), the cousin of Prophet Mohammad and one of the great rulers of Islam. You will also see the Wadi - as - salam and stroll around the famous Najaf Market. You will have Lunch at a local restaurant. The central focus of Najaf is the Imam Ali Mosque (also known as Meshed Ali or the Tomb of Ali), located in the city center. The gold plated mosque was built over the tomb (whether actual or symbolic) and shrine of Imam Ali, Muhammad's martyred son-in-law. The tomb of Ali is said to have been discovered at Najaf around 750 AD, although it is possible he is actually buried in Afghanistan. The shrine of Ali is the third holiest in the world for Shia Muslims and a major place of pilgrimage. Many Shia bring their dead to the tomb of Ali, carrying the coffin around the sarcophagus before burial. The Mosque is housed in a grand structure with a gilded dome and many precious objects in the walls. The mosque is resplendent in gold, with 7,777 tiles of pure gold covering the dome and two 35-meter high golden minarets each made of 40,000 gold tiles. Inside, the mosque is decorated with the opulence typical of Shia mosques, with neon lights reflecting off mirrored tiles and hammered silver walls. Sheltered in the mosque is an often-looted treasury of precious objects donated by sultans and other devotees over the years.

Wadi-as-salam or "Wadi of Peace", is claimed to be the largest cemetery in the Muslim world - perhaps the largest in the entire world. It contains the tombs of several prophets, along with millions of Shia Muslims who have aspired to be buried here so they might be raised from the dead with Imam Ali on Judgment Day. Adam and Noah were buried too, at the same place.

Najaf includes several other shrines, including a mosque marking the spot where Ali was martyred. There are also cells for Sufi mystics that have formed monastic communities there. Return to the hotel. Evening free for optional activities or independent exploration. Overnight. B L D

Day 6 - 19 December: Najaf Karbala (Drive: 90 kms) Morning, check-out & proceed for your ziyarat, accompanied by Khursheed sahib, to the places that we missed yesterday. Subject to permission & logistics, we could go to visit Ayatollah Sistani and seek guidance from his discourses. Later, depart for Karbala. Unlike any other city, Karbala has its named engraved in the memory of generations, and in the expanse of the Muslim world... Believers remember that name with sorrow and distress, for they remember the history of the master of all martyrs, Imam Husayn and his sacrifice for Islam.





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Karbala is a city in south-central Iraq, about 100km southwest of Baghdad. Upon reaching Karbala, the holy place would draw your attention to its glorious minarets and domes shining due to the light of its lord. At the city's entrance, you will find a row of houses decorated with wooden columns, and while proceeding further towards the holy mausoleum and see architecture similar, to some extent, to modern ones. Upon reaching the holy shrine, one finds himself in front of a boundary wall that surrounds wooden gates covered with glass decorations, and when one enters one of those gates, he enters a precinct surrounded by small rooms called "I wans”.

Shia Muslims consider Karbala to be one of the holiest places in the world, second only to Mecca and Najaf. Karbala's prominence in Shia Islam is the result of the Battle of Karbala, fought on the site of the modern city on the 10

th of Muharram in 61 A.H. (October 10, 680). Karbala is important because it is the

site of the Shrine of Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and a much-revered Shia martyr. It is also home to the Shrine of Abbas, Husayn's loyal half-brother. Both Husain and his brother Abbas were buried by the local Bani Asad tribe at what later became known as the Mashad al - Husain. The city grew up around the tombs, though the date of construction of the first sanctuary is not known. Many elderly Shia Muslims come to Karbala to die because of the belief that Karbala is one of the gates to the Heavenly Paradise promised the faithful in the Qur'an. (Najaf is even more popular as a place to pass on, in order to join Imam Ali at Judgement Day.)

Check-in on arrival. Balance of the day free for contemplation. Overnight. B L D

Day 7 - 20: Karbala Morning, continue for ziyarat to the sacred places including Imam Mahdi place ; Zainabi Hill (the place where Zainab, sister of Imam Hussain, was standing and observing the battle of karbala) ; the site where Imam Abass hands were cut.... Stroll around Karbala market where you would have Lunch. Return to the hotel. Balance of the day free for contemplation or to explore. Overnight. B L D

Day 8 - 21 December: Karbala Morning, continue visits to different tombs and the sacred places of interest in Karbala and the vicinity. Lunch in between at a local restaurant. You will also visit the Mausoleum of 3

rd Imam al-Husayn. Inside the shrine, you will find the graves of

Imam Husayn and his sons Ali Akbar & Ali Asgher and his close follower Habeeb ibn Mudahir and other tombs. Shia mosques and shrines tend to be very opulently decorated with precious metals and shiny surfaces and the highly sacred Shrine of Imam Husayn is no exception. The minarets and dome are covered in pure gold. Inside, Husayn's tomb is covered in gold and silver and sheltered by a vast dome covered in mirrored tiles. The screens are made of solid silver. Devotion to Imam Husayn focuses almost exclusively on his death as the symbol of redemptive suffering and liberation. Laments, dirges, public expressions of grief and reenactments of his murder are major parts of the pilgrimage to Karbala. Once arrived at the shrine, pilgrims kissed the silver cover (since stolen) of Husayn's tomb. A wide, tree-lined avenue leads from the Shrine of Imam Husayn to the Shrine of Abbas, Husayn's half-brother and the army commander who died with Husayn in the Battle of Karbala. Hadrat Abbas is revered by Shias for his loyalty to Husayn and bravery in the battle. The tomb of Abbas is also highly decorated with precious metals and materials.



http://www.sacred-destinations.com/iraq/najaf



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Pilgrims to Karbala also visit the parallel Shrine of Hadrat Abbas, Husayn's loyal half-brother who died with him in the Battle of Karbala. The Al Abbas Mosque is located directly across from the Imām Husayn Mosque, and contains the tomb of Abbas ibn Ali, son of Ali and brother of Husayn. The real grave of Abbas is beneath the masoulem, and is present in the shrine. Emperors and kings of various dynasties have offered valuable gifts and gems to the shrine of Abbas. It was designed by Persian & Central Asian architects. The brilliant splash of colors on the exterior and interior of the shrine are impressive. The central pear shaped dome is an ornately decorated structure. On its sides stand two tall minarets. The tomb is covered with pure gold and surrounded by a trellis of silver. Iranian carpets are rolled out on the floors.

Visit al - Makhayam, the traditional location of Hussayn's camp. Here the martyrdom of Husayn and his followers is publicly commemorated.

Return to the hotel. Balance of the day free for contemplation or to pray. Overnight. B L D

Day 9 - 22 December: Karbala

There are other shrines you can visit & pray at. In between, break for Lunch at a local restaurant and then continue on your Ziyarats. You can also visit: Ganj - e - Shohada - graves of the rest of the martyrs of Karbala Qatl-ghah Grave of Ibrahim, son of 7

th Imam Musa al - Kadhim

Khaimaghah : Garden of 6th Imam Jaafar al Sadiq ; Garden of 12

th Imam Sahib al - Asr, Al-Mahdi

Mausoleum of Aun, son of Sayyida Zaynab Return to the hotel. Balance of the day free for contemplation or to explore. Overnight. B L D

Day 10 - 23 December: Karbala Morning, continue visits to different tombs and the sacred places of interest in Karbala and the vicinity. Lunch in between at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel. Balance of the day free for contemplation or to explore. Overnight. B L D

Day 11 - 24 December: Karbala Muharram is one of the holiest occasions in the Islamic calendar. It is also the first month of the lunar Hijri calendar, which marks the start of the Islamic New Year and is one of the four most sanctified months in the Islamic calendar, the other three holy months being Dhul-Qa‟dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Rajab. The Shia Muslims consider Muharram to be the period of mourning and remembering martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain. The mourning starts from the 1st night of Muharram and continue for the next 2 months and 8 days. Nonetheless, the first ten days of Muharram have more significance. Shia Muslims put on black dresses on the first day of Muharram and attend majlis (assemblies) where the orators narrate incidents of the battle of Karbala, Hazrat Imam Husain and his people. The black color is regarded as the color of mourning. They even keep themselves away from music and joyous events, such as weddings, that are likely to distract them from the sorrowful remembrance of the The Battle of Karbala took place on the 10

th day of Muharram, that is, Ashura and Muslims across the

world observe this day with great religious significance. It was during this month that Imam Husain Ali, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was brutally assassinated together with his family and supporters thousands years back at the Battle of Karbala.





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One of the most important date for a pilgrimage to Karbala is on Arba’een. . Today is the day of Arba’een. Arba'een or Chehlum is a Shia Muslim religious observance that occurs 40 days after the Day of Ashura. It commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Husayn and 71 supporters were martyred in the Battle of Karbala in the year 61 AH (680 CE), killed by Yazid‟s army. Arba'een is also observed 40 days after the death of a family member or loved one. Forty days is the usual length of the time of mourning in many Islamic cultures. The occasion reminds the faithful of the core message behind Husayn's martyrdom: establishing justice and fighting injustice, no matter what its incarnation - a message that strongly influenced subsequent Shi'a uprisings against the Umayyad & Abbasid rule. The city of Karbala, the third holy place of Shia Islam, is the center of the proceedings where, in a show of humility, many crawl through the streets of the city while others fall on their hands and knees as they approach the Shrines of Husayn and his brother Abbas ibn Ali. Many pilgrims travel miles on foot to reach Karbala. Shia Muslims take out large processions through the streets carrying Alams and colorfully decorated Taziyahs (bamboo and paper replicas of the martyrs) embellished with gilt and mica. They even carry colorful replicas of the mausoleum of Hazrat Imam Husain at Karbala. Shia Muslims walk barefoot on the roads, while the drums are beaten in the background. They chant and weep loudly as an act of mourning for Husain, his family and his followers. To express their grief on the death of Hazrat Imam Husain, they beat their chest with hands, known as matam chanting „Ya Husain‟. Others flagellate their bodies with chains or whips, consisting of small knives and sharp objects, thereby drawing out blood to feel the pain that Husain Ali and others had been through. The taziyehs, at the end of the day, are taken to the local burial ground, known as Karbala and buried.

Public mourning and bloody re-enactments of the battle are carried out by Shi'ites across the Muslim world, but the most important of these is at Karbala. Spend the day in mourning and taking part in the various processions, culminating in majlis and other activities. Come back to the hotel. Overnight. D







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Day 15 - 28 December: Karbala - Samarra Baghdad (Drive: 124 kms)

Depart Baghdad MS 638 at 02:00 pm Arrive Cairo at 03:50 pm

Early morning at dawn or earlier, depart for Baghdad Airport, enroute visiting Samarra. Samarra is one of the four Islamic Holy Cities of Iraq, and is considered as the largest ancient city known in the whole World with its majestic ruins which extends about 9 km horizontally and 34 km vertically along the eastern bank of the Tigris. In 2007, UNESCO named Samarra one of its World Heritage Sites. It was built by Caliph Al-Mu'tasim in 836 AD to replace Baghdad as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, and abandoned by Caliph Al-Mu'tamid in 892 AD. Despite the short sojourn of the Abbasid Caliphate in Samarra, the city's artistic, literary, and scientific splendors have remained a legend in Arab history. You will visit the Great Mosque of Samarra is a 9

th century Mosque of Samarra - a dominating,

magnificent structure that was once the largest mosque in the Islamic world. The Mosque's minaret is the famous spiralling cone (Al-Malwiya), which rises 27 meters away from the northern side of the Mosque to a height of 52 meters and is 33 meters wide with a spiral ramp. It has a rectangular plan measuring 240x160 m with walls 10 m high and 2.65 m thick, supported by 44 towers. The courtyard was surrounded on all sides by an arcade. The greatest part of which was the one facing Holy Mecca. The mosque had 17 aisles, and its walls were panelled with mosaics of dark blue glass. It was part of an extension of Samarra eastwards.The art and architecture of the mosque was influential; stucco carvings within the mosque in floral and geometric designs represent early Islamic decoration. Additionally, the mosque of Ibn Tulum in Cairo, Egypt was based on the Samarra mosque in many regards. The mosque was destroyed in 656 AH after an invasion and only the outer wall and its minaret remain. You would also visit the Al-Askareyya Shrine which embraces the tombs of the 10

th & 11

th Imams, Ali Al-

Hadi who died in 868 AD and his son Hassan Al-Askari who died in 874 AD and was buried next to his father. It is a sort of memorial also to the 12

th Imam, about whom a superstition lingers that he will return

as the Mahdi to establish peace on earth.The Shrine has a golden dome that dazzles the eye. With a circumference of 68 m wide and more than 72,000 golden pieces, it is one of the biggest domes in the Islamic world. Each one of its two golden minarets is 36 m high. Looking in at the main gate you see a wonderfully light facade of uncluttered white and blue and turquoise patterns, and the dome, golden-scaled, grows out of it like a tree. The minaret is gold all the way up, and there is also a gold-painted clock tower. The courtyard is wide and its white walls are framed with small sea-blue tiles. The whole effect of this mosque is unfussy and fresh. And even outside it there is as yet hardly anything to confuse the eye.

Last stop before driving on to Baghdad, will the Caliph's Residence - built by Caliph Al Mutasim in 835 AD, it overlooks the Tigiris river and has a façade of 700 meters. Now, the only remains are a group of 3 ewans (arched facades), the central one measuring 17.5x8 meter with a height of 12 meters. These ewans were called Bab Al-'Amma (The Commoners Gate): the Caliph would sit there to hear the people's complaints and suggestions, as Muslim Caliphs always took personal interest in their citizens' affairs. Continue on to the airport well in time to check-in and board the flight for Cairo. Meeting on arrival by Egyptair staff, who will provide the Transfer to the hotel.





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Check-in. Balance of the day at leisure to explore the ancient city of Cairo independently or why not go for an optional excursion (we would be happy to offer suggestions & arrange). Overnight. B L D

Day 16 - 29 December: Depart Cairo MS 995 at 11:55 pm Day at leisure to relax at the hotel or to opt for one of the many Optional programs (we would be happy to offer suggestions and our local office can make the arrangements). Come back to the hotel by evening. In time, you will be picked up for transfer to Cairo Airport where you will board the flight for Toronto. B L

Day 17 - 30 December: Arrive Toronto 05:45 am On arrival in Terminal 1 - Toronto Pearson Airport, bid adieu & say khuda hafiz to your fellow travellers and proceed independently to your homes with a determination to lead a life of piety (as much as can be practically possible)

*** End of Services ***





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What is included :

Inclusions : International Airfare Transfers to / from Hotels / Airport and Ziyarats by private vehicle Services of a Journeys Rep for assistance on all Arrival / Departure Transfers Porterage at Airport / Hotels Accommodation for a total of 14 nights in the selected Hotels Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch & D=Dinner) Services of English speaking local Guide (Alhaj Khursheed Abedi) for all Ziyarats & Tours as

per Itinerary* Services of an English speaking Escort Entrance Fees at the Monuments / Shrines, if any Support documentation for Iraqi Visa Application All Government Taxes & Service Fees, wherever applicable 24 / 7 Emergency Contact Bottled Water during Tours / Drives

Excludes : Visa Fee for Iraq Airport Tax payable on final departure, if any Camera / Video Fees, wherever applicable, at the Monuments Items of personal nature i.e. Room Service, Laundry, Telephone Calls, Internet, Fax,

Beverages, Medical or Evacuation Expenses, Insurance, Gratuities & Tips Any Meals not specifically listed in the itinerary Any optional Programs / Services Any items not specified under Inclusions

* Departures with minimum 30 people. Seat in Coach. There may be other participants and group size may vary.

Participants may come from all over the world and most of them will be English speaking.





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Where you will stay :

City Nights Superior *** First Class **** Deluxe*****

Cairo 1 N A T B A N A

Najaf 3 Qasr Diyafa N A N A

Karbala 9 Babur Rehma N A N A

Cairo 1 N A T B A N A

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The Journeys of Faith has carefully selected each hotel based on overall quality, location, price, food, service, and cleanliness. All rooms are standard rooms with two beds and private facilities, unless you have specifically requested and paid for an upgrade. Room selection is strictly at the discretion of the hotel management. We reserve the right to make hotel substitutions with those of equal standard in case of non-availability of the selected hotel. Check-in time is usually 4:00 pm or later. Check-out time is 12:00 noon. If you will be arriving early in the day or departing in the evening, hotels will usually allow you to store your luggage in their luggage room. We will ask at the front desk on your behalf, if the hotel can check you in earlier, or let you stay later.





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And last but not least :

Departure : December 14, 2013 (Minimum 30)

Prices : We offer several accommodation choices for this tour. The price varies by selected accommodations. The itinerary remains unchanged. Exchange rates fluctuate on a daily basis. Please contact us for current pricing and we will respond within 24 hours. Rates are in USD.

Price - Per Person Superior *** First Class **** Deluxe*****

Occupancy - Double On Request On Request - N A -

Single On Request On Request - N A -

Triple On Request On Request - N A -

Airfare - International On Request On Request - N A -

Miscellenous T B A T B A - N A -

Some important notes Flights are subject to constant modifications / delays and cancellations. In such cases, we will do all

possible to find the best available alternative / solution but will not accept any liability, whatsoever.

Our rates only include those items which are specified in the Itinerary / Inclusions.

The cost has been calculated on the existing tariffs / conditions and in case of any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to revise the tour price accordingly.

Our quotations are calculated on base category of accommodation at each property and are subject to modification, if the same hotel / category of room not available at the time of reservation. In that case, we will confirm a superior category of room at a comparable or better hotel and supplement charges, if any, shall be advised accordingly. Final Itinerary will illustrate updated information and / or it would be furnished at the time of confirmation.

Room availability is getting saturated due to heavy demands from the tourism industry, international Fairs and Congresses. Due to these constant sold-out situations the hotels are applying the cancellation rules more stringently. Once the reservation is guaranteed, the booking will be subject to full cancellation charges as per our Terms & Conditions (details will be advised at the time of deposit). We strongly recommend obtaining Insurance to protect yourself against any unforeseen scenarios.

Additional services including Optionals, if any, can be paid directly to our local offices.



Documents

Karbala Pilgrimage - Arbaeen Escorted by Janab Khursheed Abedijourneys-of-faith.ca/uploads/9576817_Days__Karbala_Pilgrimage___Arbaeen.pdf · Karbala Pilgrimage - Arbaeen Escorted