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The Spiritual Importance of the Arbaeen Pilgrimage… S. Fahs and Y. Ali / (83
She notes that the participate and experience
massive media blackout on the journey.
the Arbaeen Pilgrimage was According to Metcalfe,
a reason that inspired her to the Arbaeen Pilgrimage is
film it. Emily admits it was underreported in the West
very frustrating and almost and few people are aware
painful how surprised of this important yearly
people would be if they humanitarian event.
reacted to the positive When she visited Iraq for
narrative she was showing the Arbaeen Pilgrimage last
to the world. year, political analyst and
British journalist Charlie author Catherine Shakda,
Metcalfe, who was participating based in London, stressed
in the Arbaeen walk for the how important Arbaeen is
first time, discussed the for fostering unity among
idea of Imam Hussain Holy Muslims.
Shrine with the International We observe that International
Media Centre as follows: media and some Western
Unfortunately, the International and Arab regimes continue
media focuses on a to use media blackouts or
different side of Iraq and deploy them in ways that
turns a blind eye towards distort the purpose behind
all of this. I believe if more Arbaeen; Even when the
people knew about Arbaeen, issue is addressed, the
they would want to International media tries to
