During chairing 10th International Scientific Conference on the Arba'een of Imam Hussain (PBUH) concluded in the holy city of Karbala by Al-Karkh University of Science, in which organized by the Karbala Center for Studies and Research at the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein and under the auspices of the shrine's custodian and featured the participation of researchers and academics from within Iraq and abroad, the conference addressed intellectual, cultural, social, economic, media, and service-related aspects of the Arba'een of Imam Hussain (PBUH), including discussions of several scientific studies and research papers aimed at developing mechanisms for managing Arba'een of Imam Hussain (PBUH) and improving the services provided to pilgrims.

The conference sessions included presentations of perspectives and studies addressing the challenges associated with the massive pilgrimage, particularly in the areas of crowd management, services, infrastructure, and digital transformation, the social, economic, cultural, and media dimensions of the pilgrimage were also explored.

For their part, the participants commended Al-Karkh University for Science for its scientific and organizational role in chairing the conference, praising the efforts of the Karbala Center for Studies and Research in organizing it and creating a conducive academic environment that allowed researchers and academics to discuss issues related to Arba'een of Imam Hussain (PBUH) and present insights and recommendations based on scientific research.

For his part, Prof. Dr. Jumaa Salman Jiyad, President of Al-Karkh University for Science, emphasized that the university's chairmanship of the conference reflects its scientific responsibility and underscores its role in supporting scientific research and serving the community. 

He reviewed that Arba'een of Imam Hussain (PBUH) represents a multifaceted humanitarian and cultural phenomenon that warrants further rigorous scientific study.

Prof. Dr. Jumaa Salman Jiyad said that the conference served as a scientific platform for exchanging expertise and experiences among researchers and academics, stressing the importance of utilizing the research findings and studies and translating them into practical applications that contribute to improving services, managing crowds, and enhancing the sustainability requirements of the massive pilgrimage.

The conference recommended establishing a national observatory for the sociology of Arba'een of Imam Hussain (PBUH), developing infrastructure, building a smart digital system for managing crowds and services, developing a digital twin model to simulate the elements of the pilgrimage, preparing an international communication strategy, and utilizing economic studies to maximize the economic impact of the pilgrimage.

The conference emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between universities and research institutions to transform scientific research outputs into applicable projects and policies, and to utilize academic studies in developing services and mechanisms for managing Arba'een of Imam Hussain (PBUH).

The conference affirmed the continuation of specialized scientific events addressing Arba'een of Imam Hussain (PBUH) in its various dimensions, and the support of related scientific research paths, to meet the demands of this massive pilgrimage and benefit from the outputs of studies and research in improving the services provided to pilgrims.

The conference proceedings included honoring a number of scientific and academic figures in recognition of their efforts and contributions to the conference's success, meanwhile, the President of Al-Karkh University of Science, Dr. Jumaa Salman Jiyad, accompanied by the President of the Middle Technical University, Dr. Wadah Amer Al-Tamimi, visited an art and photography exhibition documenting the epic of Imam Hussain (PBUH) organized by the Colleges of Applied Arts and Polytechnic Arts, on the sidelines of the conference.

It is significant to mention that the two-day conference, attended by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education for Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Haider Abd Dhahd.

Media and Government Communication Directorate

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

August 9, 2026