The general concept of religious festivals and their importance

Ahmed Sadiq Eidan
Supervisor: Lect. Ahmed Obaid Oreibi

Religious festivals allow visitors to participate in religious prayers and worship, listen to religious lectures and sermons, and attend theatrical, musical, and artistic performances related to religion. Religious tourism festivals also include exhibitions that display traditional arts, crafts, and local products related to religious heritage (Zakaria, 2016: pp. 239-224). In the same context, (Skoultsos, 2012, p. 21) defined religious festivals as events held in places of religious significance that attract religious visitors from different cultures and nationalities. These festivals aim to enhance religious and spiritual awareness and provide a distinctive religious experience for visitors. In contrast, the researcher defines them according to his vision as religious festivals that enhance visitors’ religious and cultural awareness and achieve a distinctive religious experience that reflects the religious and cultural heritage of the holy place.
Religious festivals are of great importance to many people and communities worldwide. These festivals allow believers to connect with their faith, enhance their spirituality, and contribute to preserving cultural heritage and religious traditions. In addition, religious festivals enhance communication and meetings between individuals and communities, stimulate the local economy, and provide new job opportunities. In Iraq, especially in the city of Karbala, religious festivals are Of particular importance given the city’s role as a significant destination for Shiite Muslims. The city of Karbala is working to develop its tourism infrastructure and boost the local economy by receiving visitors and organizing religious festivals. (Al-Jawhari, 1988: p. 68)
Religious festivals aim to enhance religious and cultural awareness and attract religious visitors worldwide to the holy city. These festivals are also an opportunity to participate in religious and cultural events, communicate with the local community, and learn about the religious and cultural heritage of the city. Religious festivals seek to provide a distinctive religious experience for visitors, enhance spirituality and worship, and positively impact the lives of visitors (Ouinn, 2009, pp. 224-239)
There are many types of religious tourism festivals worldwide. The following are some of the common types.
1) Islamic religious festivals include festivals such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Ashura. These festivals attract Muslims worldwide to Iraq and the city of Karbala to participate in religious events associated with the holy places. (Mustafa, 2008: p. 77)
2) Christian religious festivals: These include festivals such as Christmas and Easter. These festivals attract Christians from all over the world and Iraq to participate in Christian prayers and rituals. (Mustafa, 2008: p. 77)
3) Jewish religious festivals: – Hindu religious festivals include festivals such as Holi and Diwali. Hindus all over the world celebrate these prominent religious festivals. Holi is the festival of colors celebrated in the spring, where people throw colors and water on each other and celebrate with joy and fun. Diwali is considered one of the most important Hindu festivals, as it is celebrated in the fall and is regarded as the festival of lights, where houses and streets are lit with candles, gifts are exchanged, and joy and happiness are celebrated. (Ghanem, 2008: p. 64)
4) Buddhist religious festivals include festivals such as Wesak and Vesak. Buddhists celebrate these festivals all over the world. The Wesak Festival is an occasion to celebrate the date of Buddha’s death and birth, where prayers, meditations, and the exchange of vegetarian foods are held. The Vesak Festival is an occasion to celebrate the date of Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment,