Paradise on earth.

Where should I begin with? This has been one of the most beautiful journey that I have ever experienced in my entire existence. My biggest dream of being in Iraq next to my Imams has been fulfilled and I don't think I will need anything else but I really want to be back. I feel at home over there and the serenity that is in every dust isn't found anywhere, still having the nostalgia.

The first time that I saw the shrine of Imam Ali (as) in Nadjaf, I had to rub my eyes twice or thrice because I couldn't believe that I am finally here seeing it as I once dreamed about it and only saw pictures and videos, I wept out of happiness while walking the pathway of dust and felt so peaceful deep inside and the hot air blowing on my face. Words are not enough to describe the beauty around and how everybody's focus is just on how to reach that holy place. Sitting in the shrine was magical as I felt cold then warm inside myself. It is the fork road to heaven and nobody can deny that.

Moreover there came the day when I had to go to Kazmain, another city far from Najdaf. I had to travel 3 hours in a bus with the rest of the girls to go to the shrine of Imam Musa Kadhim & Imam Mohammad Taqi. It was really hot and I couldn't bear the heat for a long time. We walked a long way to reach the shrine, finally we saw that beautiful shrine and didn't regret anything. Even to walk on the carpets was hard because it was so hot and we had to run here and there. Praying there was so peaceful and I forgot everything that was troubling me and meditated for a long time. The amazing part is that I found the spirituality here. Then we had lunch in the restaurant inside and the food was excellent, like we say in Arabic ''ahsant'' as an expression of very good or excellent. Being there was so memorable and I can't forget the funny events that followed afterwards but I thank those who was always there for me and they know who they are.

What touched me the most is when I saw the shrine of Maula Abbas (as) and Imam Hussain's. I instantly started crying because I was next to my masters and I couldn't hold my happiness anymore. Every step I took, in my mind ''was it this place where the battle of Karbala took place and the worst yet memorable tragedy happened?'' It was unbelievable and even seeing people sleeping just outside in the hot air makes my heart ache but made me realize to what extent love can make you do anything just to see that shrine and lose your heart there. Even words cannot do justice to what I felt every moment. It was the best feeling I ever had. I just can't wait to be back there and it was my first time.

But what pushes people to be back on this land? Why do people walk from Najaf to Karbala for 3 days non stop? This story of Karbala touched everybody's heart. Who would not weep upon hearing every injustice done on those 72 companions and Imam Hussain? Was it the cry of Ali Asghar? Was it the sweetness of Qasim? Was it the bravery of Ali Akbar? Was it the endless patience of Sayyeda Zainab? Was it the questions that Sayyeda Sakina kept on asking? Or was it the sacrifice of the man who walked with death? If today Islam is in its pure state, it is just of these people. I could hear those whispers somehow.

I might have been pushed right and left while touching the tomb of Imam Hussain (as) but all these people are here to feel the warmth and love of their master like myself. I could see people crying and raising their hands, they are trying to communicate with their beloved and I am just one lover among all of them. It's been 1400 years and yet the love is still alive in our hearts. Realising that Imam Hussain (as) has hundreds and hundreds of lovers yet he makes you feel that he is yours and you are his. I can never forget how I left behind all my problems and worries and was just entranced by the beauty of the golden dome.

Finally I felt the pain and sorrow while walking between the two shrines and felt that I was leaving my beloved ones after so many days spent with them and I won't have all these emotions somewhere else and I hope it is not my last time being in their presence. I would like to thank Inshia, Yvana, Sarah, Narjisse, Zoya, Soukaina and everybody who was with me in this wonderful trip.