Evaluation of the educational program of Arbaeen phenomenon based on the lived experiences of pilgrims

The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the ongoing phenomenon of the Arbaeen procession in order to help the planners of this research in order to improve the level of results. In this evaluative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 pilgrims of the holy city of Karbala, who were present at least once on the Arbaeen pilgrimage, using the "ordinary case" sampling method, based on the Kirk Patrick model. Data analysis was performed by Strauss and Corbin coding method in three stages of open coding, axial coding and selective coding. During this study, which was carried out by phenomenological method, 831 concepts were discovered, that were placed in 47 categories based on meaning, nature, relationship and conceptual appropriateness. The final results are also under the seven themes of "the reality of lack of welfare facilities", "mental suffering", "acceptance of adversity"; "Astonishing the Pilgrims", "Cultivating Attitude Insight", "Spiritual Moral Growth" and "Socially Desirable Effects" were included in the two Metathemes of "Sweet Suffering" and "Rising of the Soul", and the eighth theme was entitled "tourism to the Arbaeen journey" was also considered a sub-issue. The Sweet Suffering Meta theme included the first level of the Kirk Patrick evaluation model (reaction) and the Spirit Moral Growth Meta theme included the second to fourth levels (learning, behavior, and social outcomes) of the Patrick model evaluation. Based on the model used, the reaction to the trip is very good and the travel results are estimated to be good in terms of learning and relatively good in terms of behavior. There are also signs of positive social consequences for the Islamic world that need further investigation.