Lesson video

Hello, my name's Mr. Womack, and I am really excited to be working with you today.

I've just got a feeling that we're going to do a brilliant job, so let's get started, shall we? Today's lesson is called: "Karbala: A Shi'a Place of Pilgrimage," and it comes from the unit "Pilgrimage: Why might some people visit Jerusalem, Karbala, or Makkah?" By the end of the lesson, you'll be able to: describe the importance of a pilgrimage to Karbala for Shi'a Muslims. These are the keywords that we're going to be using in our learning today.

We're going to have a go at saying them together.

I'm going to say them and then you're going to have a go.

Let's start with the first one, Shi'a.

Shi'a, the second largest branch of Islam.

Karbala, Karbala, a sacred place for Shi'a Muslims. Arba'een, Arba'een, the pilgrimage to Karbala.

And finally, Hussain, Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

So keep your eyes peeled because we'll keep referring back to these keywords throughout the task that we complete together.

Here is the lesson outline.

In the first part of the lesson, we're going to look at where is Karbala and why is it important.

Secondly, we're going to look at what happens on that Arba'een pilgrimage.

And finally, we're going to look at what might the impact of Karbala be? We're going to begin with where is Karbala and why is it important? Rasool is a British Muslim who lives in Leeds.

He is about to go on a pilgrimage called Arba'een.

Rasool says, "I'm so looking forward to the annual pilgrimage to Karbala.

This will be my third visit." Rasool has a long journey to get to Karbala.

Karbala is a city in Iraq in the continent of Asia.

Rasool will fly to the city of Najaf in Iraq and then walk the 50 miles to Karbala.

So let's take a moment to check how we're understanding.

Where is the city of Karbala? Is it in A, Iraq? B, Iran? Or C, Saudi Arabia? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think, which of these is the right answer? The right answer is Iraq.

Well done if you got that answer right.

In 2023, 22 million people took part in the Arba'een pilgrimage.

This is 10 times the number of people who make Hajj each year.

It is one of the largest gatherings of humans on Earth.

Let's take a moment to check our understanding again.

Which of these two statements about Arba'een are correct? Will you choose A, the Arba'een is a pilgrimage to Karbala? B, 22 million people took part in the pilgrimage in 2023? Or C, most people travel by car or truck to Karbala? You're going to want to pause video now whilst do you think, which of these are the right answers? The right answers are A, the Arba'een is a pilgrimage to Karbala, and B, 22 million people took part in the pilgrimage in 2023.

Well done if you got that answer right.

Rasool is a Shi'a Muslim and he belongs to the Shi'a branch of Islam.

There are two main branches or denominations in Islam.

These are Sunni and Shi'a.

Shi'a Muslims consist of approximately 14% of all Muslims. Karbala is a place of pilgrimage mostly for Shi'a Muslims. Shi'a Muslims honor the family at the Prophet Muhammad, particularly his grandson, Hussain.

Hussain was killed in a great battle at Karbala in 680 CE.

Arba'een is a pilgrimage to the city of Karbala to visit the shrine of Hussain.

So let's take a moment to check our understanding with a quick true or false question.

The Arba'een pilgrimage is mainly completed by Shi'a Muslims. Is this true or false and why? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think what your answer might be.

The answer is true.

Shi'a Muslims particularly honor Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Really well done if you've got that answer right.

It's time for a task now.

Your job is to match each keyword to the correct definition and you can see the keywords Karbala, Arba'een, Shi'a, and Hussain on the left.

You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you complete this task and then we'll go through the answers.

Well done for completing that task.

Now let's go through the answers.

Karbala is a city in Iraq, which contains the shrine of Hussain.

Arba'een is the pilgrimage to Karbala.

Shi'a is one of the two main branches of Islam, and Hussain is the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Well done for putting in lots of effort to complete that task.

Well, that completes the first part of our lesson outline, looking at where is Karbala and why it's important.

We're now going to move on to looking at what happens at the Arba'een pilgrimage.

Now let's look more closely at what happens on the Arba'een pilgrimage.

We're going to learn a little bit more about Rasool's experience, which will help us gain a deeper understanding.

Pilgrims on the walk from Najaf to Karbala.

Rasool stands in excitement as soon as the plane has touched down on the runway.

Out of the window, he can see Iraq, the sands of the desert heading to the horizon and the palm trees around the airport.

This is his first time taking the Arba'een.

It seems a world away from Leeds.

Entering the city of Najaf, Rasool joins the huge crowds of people preparing for the walk to Karbala.

The road between the two cities is 50 miles and Rasool will take three days to complete it.

The sun is high in the sky and the temperature is already nearly 40 degrees.

Rasool hoists his heavy rucksack onto his shoulders, greets the pilgrims around him and sets off.

Everyone walks together on the road, young and old, babies in push chairs, groups of children, the atmosphere is solemn, but also there is an air of anticipation.

Many people carry flags from their home countries or with messages praising Hussain.

A young man in the baseball cap holds a bowl of ice cubes and water.

"Help yourself, my brothers and sisters," he cries out.

Gratefully, Rasool stops and fills a cup with water.

Already, the heat is intense.

He bows at the young man who lives locally and is volunteering his time to help the pilgrims. "All for the love of Hussain, you are welcome," says the young man in return for his thanks.

By the end of the first day, Rasool is exhausted.

He has walked 18 miles in the blinding sun of the Iraqi desert.

His feet ache and the rucksack seems so heavy.

He stops and looks around him.

He is standing by a moukib.

His imam in Leeds has told him about the moukib, but seeing them in real life is extraordinary.

All along the road to Karbala are small camps.

Here, volunteers from the area or from abroad serve meals and drinks to the pilgrims. It is all absolutely free.

Rasool joins a queue where he is served chicken, rice, hummus, and flatbreads cooked on a grill.

Hundreds of other pilgrims are doing the same, pilgrims from Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, and the UK, of course.

One of the volunteers talks to Rasool.

"We have served 15,000 meals in one day, brother," he says proudly.

"Everyone who needs food or water, we offer it in memory of Imam Hussain." Rasool is overwhelmed.

There is no pushing or shouting.

People calmly wait and are fed.

He feels a huge sense of ummah, brotherhood, with his fellow Muslims. So let's take a moment to check our understanding.

What is a moukib? Is it A, the road to Karbala? B, a place that serves pilgrims with free food and offer shelter? Or C, a type of food offered to pilgrims? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst do you think, which of these is the right answer? The right answer is B, a place that serves pilgrims with free food and offers shelter.

Well done if you got that answer right.

Back to Rasool's story.

After finishing his meal, Rasool finds another moukib.

Here is a huge tent lined with brightly colored blankets and rugs.

A volunteer directs him to a free place.

"Rest yourself here, brother," the volunteer tells him, "Regain your strength for the long walk tomorrow." Rasool puts down his bag and he looks up at the darkening sky and sees the millions of stars shimmering.

It feels like there are as many pilgrims on Arba'een as there are stars in the sky.

He thanks Allah for his journey so far and falls asleep surrounded by other pilgrims. The pink desert sun is rising in the sky.

In front of him, after three hard days of walking, Rasool can see his journey's end.

Ahead of him, he can see the golden minarets of the mosque that houses the shrine of Hussain.

The rising sun stands out against the neon lights and calligraphy.

Like most of the pilgrims, he's wearing black.

Arba'een is a solemn pilgrimage.

A time to remember how Hussain died in battle, a time of great grief for Shi'a Muslims, wearing black is a sign of mourning and grief.

Looking around him at hundreds of thousands of people in black, Rasool again is struck by the worldwide community of the Shi'a, all here for one purpose, to honor the memory of Hussain.

So let's take a moment to check our understanding.

Why do most Shi'a Muslims wear black on the Arba'een? Is it A, to stay cool in the desert sun? B, everyone in Iraq wears black all the time? Or C, to show their grief and mourning for Hussain? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is the right answer.

The right answer is C, to show their grief and mourning for Hussain.

Well done if you got that one right.

As the day goes on, Rasool moves around the holy sites of Karbala.

He makes his way to the shrine itself and he sees the rich calligraphy on the domes and walls around him.

In the center of the mosque is the shrine.

Underneath the golden dome, he finds it covered with a lattice work of finely wrought metal.

Overcome with awe, Rasool prays and gives thanks that he has reached his destination.

Here, he can remember the memory of Hussain.

In the precinct of the mosque, thousands of Shi'a stand together.

They ask Allah to send prayers and blessings on Hussain, and they also pray for help for others they know who need help, and especially for people who have just died.

There is no set order for Arba'een unlike the Hajj pilgrimage at Makkah.

Pilgrims are free to spend time in the city and visit different sacred places.

And later that day, many thousands of pilgrims listen to poetry and stories retelling the battle of Karbala.

Rasool follows the story.

It's like he's hearing it for the first time.

Here on the very spot that the battle took place where he can see the shrine of Hussain, the whole event takes on a new meaning for him.

He looks up.

It is now evening and darkness has fallen.

Rasool can see the light of the shrines and flags fluttering in a slight breeze.

Around him, he knows there are millions of other Shi'a, forming the largest meeting of humans on the planet, all here for the love of God and the memory of Hussain.

So let's check our understanding with a quick question.

What two activities might pilgrims do when they reach Karbala? Will you choose drink from the zamzam well, pray for people who have recently died, listen to and remember the story about the death of Hussain, or circle the Ka'bah? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which two activities might pilgrims do when they reach Karbala.

The right answers are B, pray for people who've recently died, and C, listen to and remember the story about the death of Hussain.

Really well done if you got those right.

So it's time for a task now.

Can you write three sentences about what happens on the Arba'een pilgrimage? You may wish to focus on what happens on the road to Karbala, including the moukibs, and what happens at the shrine of Hussain.

You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you complete this task.

And I really look forward to seeing what you put.

I wonder what you said.

Maybe you said something like this.

Pilgrims walked the 50 miles from Najaf to Karbala.

Along the way, volunteers help the pilgrims at moukibs, where they can get free food, water, rest, and sleep.

You might have also said, "The Arba'een is a time of mourning, so pilgrims wear black.

Once they reach the shrine, pilgrims will worship at the shrine to Hussain and hear stories of the battle of Karbala where he died." Really well done for putting in lots of effort to complete that task.

And that brings us to the final part of our learning today, looking at what might the impact of Karbala be.

In this lesson, we are hearing about Rasool's experience at the Arba'een to Karbala.

We're also gonna hear from Hassan, another British Shi'a Muslim.

Hearing from different Shi'a Muslims means we can build up our understanding of the difference pilgrimage makes and compare different people's experiences.

So what does Rasool say is the most important part of the Arba'een to him? He says, "The climax of my pilgrimage was visiting the tomb and shrine.

It was so inspirational to be part of so many people all worshiping together." And on reflecting on what Rasool said, he found being the shrine of Hussain to be the most important part because he clearly says here, "The climax of my pilgrimage was visiting the tomb and shrine." Well, what does Hassan say is the most memorable part of the Arba'een pilgrimage? He says, "At Karbala, I meet people from all across the world.

It connects me with the global Shi'a community.

You make for life.

We are all connected, focusing on the story of Hussain.

We are united in grief for him." So Hassan feels part of the Shi'a community all connected through their grief for Hussain.

And you can see that clearly when he says, "It connects me with a global Shi'a community." And he also says, "We are all connected focusing on the story of Hussain." So let's check our understanding with a quick question.

Select two statements that describe how Rasool and Hassan feel about the Arba'een pilgrimage.

Will you choose A, it's a chance to relax on holiday? B, it connects them with Shi'a Muslims around the world? Or C, it is inspiring to stand at the shrine of Hussain? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you choose your answers.

The correct answers were B, it connects them with Shi'a Muslims around the world, and C, it is inspiring to stand at the shrine of Hussain.

Well done if you got that answer right.

So how has the Arba'een pilgrimage made a difference to Rasool? Well, Rasool says, "I felt a fulfillment of my desire to be a good Muslim.

Serving the pilgrims on the road from Najaf is an honor, and I'm going next year as a volunteer." So we can see clearly that the pilgrimage helped Rasool understand how to be a good Muslim.

And he says, "I felt a fulfillment of my desire to be a good Muslim." He also said that serving the pilgrims on the road from Najaf is an honor, and next year he wants to volunteer at a moukib because he thinks it's an honor to serve others.

Well, I wonder what does Hassan say is the impact of the Arba'een pilgrimage for him? Hassan says, "I feel spiritually recharged after seeing the shrine to Hussain.

I try to improve one habit when I come back.

For example, I read the Qur'an more.

When I come back to London, I'm serving people and God more." So Hassan feels that seeing the shrine to Hussain gives him new energy and he tries to improve one habit when he returns.

And you can see that where he clearly says, "I try to improve one habit when I come back, such as reading the Qur'an more and serving others." So let's check our understanding with a true or false question.

Pilgrimage to Karbala can make a difference to pilgrims when they return.

You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think, is the answer true or false, and why? The answer is true.

Rasool has learned more about being a good Muslim and wants to volunteer on the pilgrimage next year, while Hassan tries to take up a new habit like reading the Qur'an.

Well done if you got that answer right.

So it's time for our final task.

Some children are discussing the Arba'een pilgrimage.

Andeep says, "The pilgrimage to Karbala has a big impact on Shi'a Muslims while they are there, but it doesn't really make a difference when they return home." Alex says, "The pilgrimage to Karbala has a big impact on Shi'a Muslims while they're there, but it can also have a big impact when they return." So who do you think has a better understanding of the impact of pilgrimage? You're going to use the case studies to help you decide which one has the better understanding.

You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you complete this task, and I look forward to seeing what you put.

I wonder what you put.

You might have said something like this.

Alex has the better understanding of the impact of pilgrimage.

I think this because Rasool talked about how he wants to be a volunteer next year on the pilgrimage.

And in addition, Hassan talked about feeling spiritually recharged by the pilgrimage and how he tries to take up a new habit like reading the Qur'an more.

Really well done for putting in lots of effort to complete that task.

That completes our learning for today.

So let's take a moment to summarize what we found out together.

We've learned that Karbala is a city in Iraq and is a shrine for Shi'a Muslims. And that pilgrimage to Karbala is called Arba'een.

We've learned that Shi'a Muslims visit Karbala to remember Hussain and his death in battle.

And finally, many Shi'a Muslims can be profoundly affected by a pilgrimage to Karbala.

Well done on working so hard to complete the lesson today.

It's been brilliant learning alongside you, and I look forward to working with you again sometime in the future.

Bye for now.