Ethnography of Arbaeen March Culture; Analyses and Decision-Making Strategies in the Islamic Revolution Institutions
Document Type : Scientific-Research Article
Author
Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Management, Imam Sadiq (PBUH) University
Abstract
Massive Arbaeen March has become a universal symbol of political, social, and cultural power of Muslims. Using an interpretive methodology and qualitative research approach based on ethnographic strategy as well as the direct observation of the ethnographer, this study describes and analyzes pilgrims’ cultural behaviors in this massive march and presents some strategies to strengthen and develop the Arba’een Husseini (PBUH) Pilgrimage culture. The ethnography of the present study is conducted in four time stages: pilgrims' preparation for the journey, road trip to Chazabeh border, pilgrims’ walk from Najaf to Karbala, and ethnography of returning from the journey. The two-fold purpose of this study i.e. “analysis and description of Arba’een Husseini (PBUH) culture” and “decision-making strategies to promote Arba’een Husseini (PBUH)” culture are offered, analyzed, and interpreted within the four above-mentioned sections. The results of this study substantiated that Arba’een Husseini (PBUH) has created a convergence among cultures and lead to strengthening and expanding the great universal culture of the Muslims and Shiites regardless of ethnicity, race, age, and other cultural differences. Therefore, the effort to develop and deepen such culture by domestic institutions and organizations in cooperation with Iraqi organizations is quintessential. According to the conducted studies, the police, Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, and cultural organizations, namely IRIB, Islamic Propagation Center of Howzah, Islamic Propagation Organization, and Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization of Iran, together with municipalities, Ministry of Medical Treatment and Education, universities, Endowment and Charity Organization and other institutions of the Islamic Revolution can play important roles in the development and promotion of this culture based on the proposed ethnographic strategies.
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