I grappled with the purpose of Muharram majalis for years. I now get why it matters.

(RNS) — Last week, I had the privilege of giving a speech at a majlis for young girls. “Majlis” literally translates from Arabic to “gathering.” They are held annually primarily by Shia Muslims around the world during the Islamic months of Muharram and Safar to commemorate the tragedy of Karbala, which marks the brutal killing of Imam Husayn, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in his stand against the oppressive rule of the time.

Majalis (plural) are customarily held for a 40-day mourning period, reaching its climax on Arbaeen, which this year falls on Tuesday (Aug. 4). In recent years, Arbaeen has become known as a walk of love, when millions from around the world flock to Iraq and walk from the city of Najaf, where Imam Ali, the father of Husayn, is buried, to Husayn’s shrine in Karbala.

The walk of Arbaeen is a testament to pilgrims’ devotion to Husayn’s stance for truth and social justice. Arbaeen has become one of the largest annual peaceful gatherings in the world and is becoming increasingly attractive to Muslims and non-Muslims alike in a world rife with injustice.

But being asked to give a speech for the girls brought me back two decades, when I was a young girl…