The lack of water and its effect on the Iraqi pligrims until the Year 656 AH / 1258 AD

This study aims to highlight the main obstacles faced by the pilgrim caravans to the Sacred House of Allah, namely the scarcity of water and drought along the pilgrimage route, in both its natural and human aspects. The problem of water shortage has been a recurring concern for pilgrim caravans due to insufficient rainfall and years of drought, or due to the sabotage of wells and water reservoirs by Bedouin tribes seeking to prevent water access to pilgrims in order to facilitate looting or extortion. Additionally, political and revolutionary movements emerged opposed to the Abbasid authority, targeting pilgrims during their journey to the holy sites by sabotaging water facilities along the pilgrimage routes to achieve political goals and obtain financial resources.