Each year, millions of pilgrims flock to the world’s largest public gathering in Karbala, Iraq – the Arbaeen walk. Traveling entirely by foot, the 80 kilometer trek takes almost three days and commemorates 40 days (Arbaeen) after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S.), a 7th century social justice leader who sacrificed his life in the fight against tyranny.
However, the practice of honoring Imam Hussain (A.S.)’s legacy is not geographically limited to the country of Iraq. In fact, Shi’a Muslim communities across the world simultaneously organize their own marches – with one such demonstration taking place in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
For the past seven years, the start of the Milwaukee Imam Hussain Memorial March has been marked with a group gathering and prayer, with the adhan (the call to prayer) echoing down Wisconsin Avenue. Upon finishing our midday prayers, we make our way throughout downtown Milwaukee, making periodic stops to hear speeches, poetry, and reflections from various participants over the span of four hours. The event is sponsored by Dar-ul-Hikmah (House of Wisdom), a Shia Mosque and facilitated by Milwaukee non-profit organization called LOAF (Legacy of Ali and Fatima).
As a Shi’a Muslim, congregating for this public demonstration has become one of the most meaningful opportunities in my lifetime to practice my religion. Time and time again, I have been brought to tears by my community’s palpable love and energy for Imam Hussain (A.S.), evidenced by the passion, vigor, and eloquence that emanates through the anecdotes they share. I am in awe of the perspective that our interfaith speakers offer, sharing how Imam Hussain (A.S.)’s life and character informs their own practices and life philosophies. And through expressing the Imam (A.S.)’s legacy through my own words, I am provided an opportunity to reflect on his story, reminded to embody his teachings of hope, generosity and kindness.
However, as I think about this walk, a question often lingers – why? Why do people keep coming back year after year? Why do families give up their afternoons, travel across Wisconsin and Illinois, simply to walk the streets of Milwaukee for a few hours? What makes this event so compelling?
I believe the answer lies in storytelling. Stories connect us to what it means to be human; they allow for lessons of morality and character to resonate more deeply, to transcend generations, cultural differences, and even faith identities. In this manner, a story becomes a catalyst for much more—whether it’s building community, advocating for social justice and change, or simply sharing common values and inspiration. Thus, whether it’s in Karbala, Iraq or Milwaukee, WI, we convene because the retelling of Imam Hussain’s story simply touches something innate within us.
From the lens of fostering interfaith relationships, the Imam Hussain Memorial March has therefore taught me that at the heart of unity is sharing our own stories – whether it’s sharing conversation about faith traditions or our own spiritual journeys. While we may not be able to fully reconcile our belief systems, we may not need to. Rather, by sharing what makes us authentically human, our stories, that’s how we’ll build bridges.
