Baghdad: Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadrist Movement, has criticized those he accuses of attempting to disrupt the Arba'een pilgrimage, referring to them as the "barking of the corrupt." Through his statement on the X platform, al-Sadr emphasized the pilgrimage's deeper significance beyond a mere act of faith.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Sadr highlighted the Arba'een pilgrimage as a profound symbol of sacrifice, reform, martyrdom, and annihilation. He urged people not to view it superficially, stating, "Seeking to visit Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) is seeking the symbol of sacrifice, the symbol of reform, the symbol of martyrdom, and the symbol of annihilation."

He further addressed the criticisms against the pilgrimage by stating, "The voices of corruption and worldly desires should not bark against this ritual, I mean the Arba'een pilgrimage and the journey to Imam Hussein. If this ritual disrupts some worldly affairs, then the killing of Imam Hussein, his family, and his companions disrupted the entire world. If this ritual closes some alleys and roads, then the beheading of Hussein was a severing of the paths to divine mercy, were it not for God's boundless mercy."

The statement reflects al-Sadr's commitment to defending the significance and sanctity of the Arba'een pilgrimage amid ongoing challenges and criticisms.