It’s hard to count the number of volunteers serving...

It’s hard to count the number of volunteers serving Momineen/Mominat spanning from little children to the elderly, they are eager to offer comfort to the tired bodies, by inviting you to eat-in, rest and sleep, massage and treat injured feet. Innocent children frequently offer water bottles, sweets and even tissue papers to register their love and care for the visitors of the great Imam -asws .

Small Moukkab are generally installed by the local Iraqis who are not very well off but their hospitality is amazingly rich. Once in the Mashi , one cannot thank the volunteers enough, both inside the Moukkab and standing at the roadsides, for their tireless devotion and relentless efforts, inviting the Zair [11] for food, drinks, foot-treatment, offering sleeping berths and use of shower/WC facilities.

On a personal note, I have tried to reflect on my own experiences during ‘Mashi’ in the following statement, which others may share. Still, it’s a reminder of how seriously I fell short of my responsibilities to fellow walkers.

Among many slips, some are: I was inexcusably inflexible, failed to slow down to keep up with those who had difficulty in walking and did not try hard enough to persuade those who were in higher spirit and valour to reach their beloved Imam -asws and Mola Abbas -asws ‘s Harram, to slightly hold back for slow-moving members of the group.

Sometimes, I was also inconsiderate when it came to taking a short break for a nap or comfort, and was hugely propelled by the desire of reaching my destiny with those who had the same passion.

I did not realise there, as I recollect today, I was more composed, more flexible and humble at the beginning of the Mashi but as my physical situation deteriorated, so did wane my superficial qualities which let my companions down – showing my lack of preparedness to serve the cause of my Imam -asws , if at all I were given a chance!

Hence, I devote this short write-up to the Imam -ajfj of our time with seeking forgiveness and asking for help to enable me, and all of us, to behave as we claim to be when put to a trail – the conditions beyond our comfort zone! Why did I say all of this? One should look after all those who strive to visit Imam Hussain -asws ‘s shrine.