Arbaeen Trekking attracts millions of people worldwide, it is held in Karbala, Iraq at the end of the 40-day mourning period following Ashura, the religious ritual for the commemoration of the martyrdom of the grandson of prophet Muhammad, peace be upon to him the third Shiaa Muslim Imam, Husayn Ibn Ali in 61AH.
In Suleja local government area of Niger state, on Tuesday over 20,000 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) gathered in a trek which commenced from Maje Town in Suleja and culminated at Filing Unguwar Iya, covering seven kilometers in Suleja.
Speaking to journalists, a member of the in IMN, Engr Yunusa Lawal said if they had the chance they would have gone to Karbala for the trek hence, their decision to carry out a similar trek in Nigeria in solidarity with other Shiaa Muslims around the world.
Engineer Lawal stated that the lessons of Arbaeen Trek is to keep alive the truth, justice and the memory of martyrdom, saying that the leader of IMN Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky had always preached peace and unity and he had stood for truth and justice.
He admonished the government to operate in accordance with the constitution which clearly guarantees religious freedom for all. He said the Arbaeen Trek is a symbolic event which creates unity amongst the people.
