4 Ways Technology Can Enhance Your Trip To Iraq For Arbaeen

Muslims across the world have been developing their own handy tech tools that reflect both their culture and religion. Technology has helped to express religious identity, connect with society, and participate in rituals, including the yearly ziyarat (travels) to Iraq for Arbaeen and the Hajj pilgrimage. 

Cyber Ziyarat

The way we interact with religious sites will continuously change as scholars, clerics and pilgrims innovate to make these visits more authentic and rooted in history. We are already seeing such initiatives surrounding ‘smart Hajj’ through the use of apps and hackathons.

Technology is creating new possibilities for Muslims to perform their religious rituals. Cyber ziyarat has become a popular way for people to interact with sacred sites remotely through video calling, sharing pictures, and voice notes with their friends and family who couldn’t make it. You can even straight up pretend you were there with an Umrah selfie frame?

Similar initiatives are being seen for the yearly ziyarat to Iraq’s holiest site, Karbala. If you are visiting Iraq for Arbaeen this year, check out these tips to make it a trip to remember.

1) VR Karbala

Inspired by a recreation of the Forbidden City of China, in 2016 a university project by Nazer Hussain Mehrali became a reality with the launch of VR Karbala.

The virtual reality app takes viewers back in time to the battle of Karbala with realistic animations, sound, and historical accuracy. The experience allows you to fully immerse yourself as a spectator in this crucial segment of Islamic history. 

“Our vision is to develop a virtual reality platform, where every human being is enabled to uniquely experience the tragedy of Karbala with their mind and soul, respectively.”

VR Karbala, https://www.vr-karbala.com/about-us/vision-mission/

Download the app on iOS and Android, just make sure to use your VR headset and headphones for the full 360° experience!

2) Ride-Hailing Services in Karbala and Najaf

If you’re coming from a country where you rely heavily on Uber or Careem (well, it’s kind of the same thing now), then you’re in luck. 

Ride-hailing mobile apps have become increasingly popular across Iraq in the past 18 months. The service offers safety and security to customers through vetted drivers, location services, and transparent pricing.

If you don’t speak the local language but want to explore the city, then these services will show you a different side of Iraq without managing annoying taxi drivers.

Tip: The taxis are best used for travel within the city, rather than city to city.

See which of the following services will be a good fit for your trip: 

Taxi Amin (Karbala)

• Available in 37 languages including English, Urdu, Chinese, Singhalese, and Amharic.
• Currently only operating in Karbala.
• Cash payments only.
• Download here on Android or iOS.

Obr (Najaf, Baghdad and other cities) 

• Available in 39 languages including English, Urdu, Estonian, Finnish, and Georgian.
• Cash payments only.
• Download here on Android or iOS.

Careem (Najaf, Baghdad, and other cities)

• Available in English, Arabic, French, Kurdish and Turkish.
• Option to pay with cash or card.
• Download here on Android or iOS.

3) Free Internet in Karbala

Earlier this year, the Media and Communications Authority in cooperation with Iraqcell Communications Company, announced the launch of free WiFi services. Specifically, the inner haramain area (the walkway between the two main shrines) in Karbala city. In case you get lost and don’t have 3G, this will be the best way to find your group again. 

4) Haqibat Almumin App

Ataba Abassiya launched the Haqibat Almumin app as a handy Islamic resource. With over five million downloads so far, Haqibat Almumin offers an array of features such as prayer times, adhan notifications, the Quran, qibla finder, prayer books, and more. The best thing? If you leave your tasbih (prayer beads) at home, you can use the handy tasbih counter!

The app is available in English and Arabic and can be downloaded on Android and iOS.

Try out these tips during your trip to Iraq for Arbaeen and let us know your experiences and thoughts in the comments below ?