Political Implications of the Iraqi Land Pilgrimage Route during the Ottoman Era

Abstract

The pilgrimage route had political and security implications, and the Ottoman Empire strengthened its relationship with the Al-Rashid rulers in Ha'il as a result. They had a strong relationship with them as the most important political entity on the pilgrimage route, in addition to leading the Iraqi pilgrimage caravans and securing the road for Iraqi and Persian pilgrims. The Ottoman Empire also used the route militarily to supply its army in the Hejaz with provisions and military supplies in Najd and the Hejaz after their ammunition was depleted. They also protected the road from the danger of Bedouins and secured the necessary services for pilgrims on their way to and from the holy cities. However, in the early 19th century, the route was severely threatened when the Al Sauds launched their Wahhabi invasions of southern Iraq via the Iraqi pilgrimage route, and the route was affected as its use decreased to avoid robbery and murder. In the early 20th century, a number of scholars in Najaf, Karbala, Kazimiyah, Samarra, and Persian scholars issued fatwas prohibiting the use of the route due to its dangers for pilgrims, and the prohibition fatwas were printed in a booklet and distributed to Iranian pilgrims to avoid using it."