Sanctuary of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her)
For the Arbaeen of Imam al-Hussain (peace be upon him), the Holy Alawi Shrine has put the entire capacity of the Lady Fatimah al-Zahra Courtyard complex at the service of pilgrims. It’s one of the biggest service hubs for visitors in Najaf Al-Ashraf. All the facilities here are available round the clock to every Arbaeen pilgrim—no prior registration needed.
Services
Welfare: Over 5,000 restrooms and more than 5,000 shower units in a clean, hygienic setup, plus a proper cooling system to keep pilgrims comfortable. You can rest either in covered halls or in open areas fitted with sunshades.
Catering: Regular meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—served continuously to visitors.
Medical: Specialized medical staff on site, offering health and wellness services.
How to get there:
Western side of the Holy Alawi Shrine.
Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) Pilgrims’ City
“Madinat al-Za’ireen (Pilgrims’ City) of Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him)”—located in the Howli area—is the main gateway for receiving tens of thousands of pilgrims from different Iraqi provinces and neighboring countries, especially during mega-visits. It has 8 separate entry/exit points for pilgrims and 7 large halls fully equipped with all amenities, ready to host Arbaeen visitors.
Services
– Welfare: Private rest zones with heating and cooling, bathrooms and washrooms, plus other necessities like a restaurant and supermarket.
– Catering: Drinking water, bread, and blessed meals distributed daily at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
– Medical: Medical and emergency teams stationed at the entrances of the accommodation and catering centers within the complex.
How to get there:
After exiting through Bab al-Tusi, pass through the Lady Fatimah al-Zahra Courtyard and take the escalators behind it.
Ya’sub al-Din Rest Area
The Holy Alawi Shrine has set up the “Ya’sub al-Din” catering and rest center, which can hold 40,000 pilgrims, to welcome Arbaeen visitors and serve them. On top of the services listed above, they’ll also run cultural, educational, doctrinal, and religious programs here.
Services
– Welfare: Accommodation and rest spaces, support services, and restroom facilities.
– Catering: Blessed meals distributed daily at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
– Medical: Medical teams on hand for health care and treatment.
How to get there:
Eastern side of the Holy Shrine, at the end of the Grand Bazaar, past the square, opposite the Mosque of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her), just before the Thawrat al-‘Ishrin bridge complex.
Al-Murtadha Rest Area
The Holy Alawi Shrine has also put up the “Murtadha” rest area specifically for Arbaeen pilgrims travelling from Najaf towards Karbala.
Services
– Welfare: Catering halls with a capacity of 2,000 people for resting, plus 100 fully equipped sanitary units and an open-air space with shade coverings.
– Catering: Continuous meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks—for visitors.
– Medical: A medical unit equipped to provide health and wellness services.
– Cultural: A station for answering religious queries, a lost-and-found guidance center, the “Mohsen” children’s cultural center, and a spot for phone charging and repairs along with other electronic services.
How to get there:
Near Pillar 96 on the Arbaeen walking route.
Al-Karrar Rest Area
Among the service centers run by the Holy Alawi Shrine during Arbaeen is Base No. 11, the “Al-Karrar” rest area, located south of Najaf Al-Ashraf.
Services
– Catering: Continuous meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks—served around the clock.
How to get there:
On the Abu Sakhir road-at the main southern entrance to Najaf province, close to Pillar 99 on the Arbaeen walking route.
Mawakib (Service Processions)
Overview
Every year, the Holy Alawi Shrine sets up fixed and mobile processions (Mawakib) in two categories—official and support—totaling over 15 along the Arbaeen walking route, all serving the pilgrims of Imam al-Hussain. The official ones operate directly under the shrine’s name, while the support Mawakib back up the popular (volunteer) processions by supplying water, food, and other needed items.
Services
– Daily meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with snacks and drinking water.
– Accommodation, hygiene, medical, and cultural services—these vary across different stations around the Holy Shrine and along the Arbaeen walking path.
How to get there / Locations
– Airport procession: At Najaf Al-Ashraf International Airport, to welcome Arbaeen pilgrims.
– Malik al-Ashtar procession: At the pilgrims’ entrance from the ring road or city centre, coming from Tashyi’ Square in Najaf.
– Qahraman Khaibar procession: Near Bab al-Tusi of the Holy Shrine.
– Shabab Qanbar procession: At Pillar 96 on the Arbaeen walking route.
– Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) procession: At Pillar 196 on the Arbaeen walking route.
– Abna’ Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) procession: In the large Miqdad Complex, near Pillar 234 on the Arbaeen walking route.
