Preserving and Enhancing Cultural Identity Through Virtual and Augmented Reality: The Case of Karbala

The sacred site of Karbala is one of the most profoundly meaningful pilgrimage hubs for Muslims worldwide, due to its historical, cultural, and religious significance concerning the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (A), his brother Abbas (A), and their followers (RA) in the eponymous battle. The tragedy of Karbala presents the epitome of faith and self-sacrifice for truth and justice, and such associations comprise the nucleus of Karbala’s urban cultural and sacred significance. For over a thousand years, Karbala has been a magnet for remembrance and devotion, particularly in the Islamic lunar month of Muharram, during which millions of pilgrims throng to the city to take part in commemorative rituals for Imam Hussein (A). Such activities, while primarily spiritual rites, encompass diverse socio-cultural and urban considerations.

Processions commemorating Imam Hussain (A) clearly entail spatial organization and management, literally shaping Karbala’s physical structure as well as its urban identity, as the city’s public areas and roads become social zones for pilgrims to congregate and foster ties of spiritual love, while simultaneously engendering Karbala’s particular cultural identity (CUL-IDY) and energizing the fabric of its urban structure. Modern technological solutions can add further layers of use, preservation, and conservation to Karbala, including its religious and cultural heritage. VR and AR can offer tools to enable pilgrims and cultural tourists to visualize and empathize with the pathos of the tragic events for which Karbala is renowned, especially the martyrdom of the holy ones. Using immersive and interactive technologies, pilgrims can attain a deeper comprehension of the cultural and religious significance of Karbala and enable novel engagements with Karbala’s sacred historical meanings and urban fabric, improving visitor enjoyment and awareness of cultural significance, even for remote visitors who cannot attend the physical site. This posits a profound revolution in the way in which cultural and religious identity can be curated and passed on to others without traditional geographical and temporal barriers, galvanizing the vital legacy of Karbala using modern technologies.

The current paper undertakes to investigate the use of spaces in Karbala with a view to energizing Karbala’s urban identity and heritage using novel VR and AR technological solutions for the retelling of spiritual narratives and commemoration of sacred history. It analyzes spatial use in connection to religious rites and their effects in the urban sphere of Karbala. The research seeks to identify ways in which innovative technological tools can undergo integration with ancient religious activities and culture to preserve and continue Karbala’s unique CUL-IDY.

This review yielded some diverse literature concerning spiritual sites’ URB-HTG and CUL-IDY, as described below:

URB-HTG and CUL-IDY: CUL-IDY is intertwined with URB-HTG itself, and spiritual and communal associations profoundly influence both in religious centers like Karbala, in addition to recording and passing on traditional cultures [1].

Communal Spiritual Rites: The Muharram pilgrimage is essential to Karbala’s identity as an Islamic city. Abdelmonem et al. [2] noted that it galvanizes pilgrims’ sense of social affiliation and togetherness, especially the preservation of ancient rites like processions.

Spiritual Activities and CUL-IDY: Spiritual activities’ impacts on CUL-IDY are closely linked to fostering a sense of being part of a collective community, as described above, iterating the cultural and religious beliefs and aspirations of believers. Karbala’s rites, while rooted in religious observances, exude a transcendent cultural impact that intersects with nationalist and even political ideations [3].

Virtual Technologies and the Preservation of Urban Heritage: VR and AR can recreate historical icons such as the Battle of Karbala, using interactivity to enhance visitor experience and preserve CUL-IDY, which Singh et al. [4] reported can increase empathetic feelings and significance for visitors.

Muharram Pilgrimage and Collective Identity: Muharram pilgrimages to Karbala are ancient and integral in visitors’ collective consciousness. Sultan and Al-Thahab [5] noted that besides religious observances, Muharram activities in Karbala cement social connections between visitors, and their common CUL-IDY, which they pass on to succeeding generations.

Karbala-Specific Studies: URB-HTG and CUL-IDY issues in Karbala have been studied by recent analysts, Khorasand et al. [6], who concluded that the city’s urban identity is formed by pilgrims’ interactions within public areas, and with the city itself and its shrines, noted the central value of pilgrims in the preservation of cultural activities, offering a good exemplar for modernity and heritage in synergy.

Previous studies indicate that URB-HTG and CUL-IDY in the context of Karbala are rooted in pilgrims’ collectivist spiritual observances and cultural associations, augmented by virtual technologies to preserve and pass on the city’s heritage. Empirical literature offers a robust fundament to comprehend the way in which such factors contribute to buttressing CUL-IDY, opening the scope for inquiries on ways in which to embed novel technological solutions in the observance of traditional religious rites for the conservation of URB-HTG, Figure 1.

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Figure 1. Karbala’s urban heritage and identity

While previous studies provide valuable insights into URB-HTG and CUL-IDY, some limitations remain. Many focus primarily on the tangible aspects of urban heritage, overlooking the dynamic and evolving nature of cultural identity in pilgrimage cities like Karbala. Furthermore, while Singh et al. [4] highlight the role of VR/AR in enhancing visitor engagement, its applicability to deeply spiritual and religious settings remains unexplored. Unlike traditional heritage tourism, pilgrimage sites involve profound emotional and communal dimensions that immersive technologies must carefully integrate.

Furthermore, although previous research has examined the impact of Muharram rituals on urban identity [2, 5], a deeper analysis is needed of how these rituals continually reshape spatial and cultural dynamics in Karbala after the Hajj season. The role of virtual technologies in this transformation also warrants further exploration, particularly in balancing technological advancements with the preservation of religious authenticity. Addressing these gaps will help bridge theoretical perspectives with practical approaches to sustaining URB-HTG and CUL-IDY in Hajj cities.

In the Muharram season (1-10 Muharram, 1445 AH), when over 10 million pilgrims attend Karbala, 500 remembrance processions and 3,000 public meals are held, visitors’ motions were tracked using GPS, focusing on the core routes to the two holiest shrines, encompassing 10 key roads with concentrated user density.

5.1 Survey results

The outcomes indicated that Karbala’s physical sites were commodified for pilgrims’ use, including public shading, tents, and other facilities. Pilgrimage activities reinforced CUL-IDY and social sense of belonging according to the majority of questionnaire respondents (85% and 75% respectively), underscoring how remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (ع) are central to CUL-IDY and social cohesion among pilgrims. Spatial analysis revealed how cultural and social needs are served in Karbala in addition to pilgrimage rites.

5.2 Virtual technologies

VR and AR solutions for historical heritage preservation at Karbala seek to visualize the Battle of Karbala with interactivity via AR smartphone apps or VR headsets, presenting content on sites and simulated interactions with figures from history, for a more in-depth appreciation of the religious and historical context of Karbala. Analysis of the impacts of these virtual experiences revealed that the majority of questionnaire respondents thought that they improved their comprehension of the history of the site (80%), enhancing their social cohesion and memory, and that it made such awareness and heritage more accessible and appealing to younger people (70%). These outcomes indicate the important pedagogical role VR and AR can play, in addition to preserving the heritage of such potentially vulnerable sites for future generations, and improving remote accessibility, thereby contributing to the preservation of religious and cultural identity.

5.3 Questionnaire on pilgrimage and virtual technologies

The study questionnaire concerning visitors’ own opinions and experiences as pilgrims to Karbala asked about the effects of VR and AR on their cultural and religious ideations. The questionnaire form is shown below in Table 1. The results are discussed below, highlighting differences between the responses of the different types of visitors.

Table 1. Questionnaire form

5.4 Part 1: User types

As shown in Table 2 and Figure 1, most of the users of Karbala who took part in the questionnaire were visitors (64.5%), while almost a third were residents of the city (32.3%) and a small proportion were experts. This reflects the preeminent importance of religious observances in Karbala, attracting many visitors who actively participate in rites concerning the Battle. However, the input from residents of the city and experts also offers important insights when considering the holistic users of the city.

Table 2. Karbala users

5.5 Part 2: Religious activities and cultural identity

Table 3 shows that the majority of participants (77.4%) engaged in religious rites, including local residents as well as visitors; the former typically have an ongoing relationship with spiritual activities in the city, while peak season pilgrims exhibit intensive but temporary engagement during extraordinary events, such as Arba’een. While numerically fewer, experts may consider such activities with regard to impacts on cultural and social identity over the long term.

Table 3. Culture and religious identity

Figure 2 shows that the most common activities participants took part in were Hussainiya processions (58.1%), orthodox religious activities (e.g., praying) (48.4%), and gatherings in public spaces (40.3%). Local residents incorporate such activities in their daily lives, while pilgrims visiting from elsewhere are engaged in particularly intense and immersive cultural and spiritual activities in the city. The experts are more likely to consider such activities in terms of sociocultural issues, and their effects for identity and cultural continuity.

Figure 3 shows the effects of religious activities on users’ sense of cultural belonging, concerning which most respondents (61.3%) indicated tangible effects. Residents are more prone to see them as reiterating their inherent interconnection with Karbala and its religious activities, while pilgrims are more acutely and intensely aware of religious significance, and experts see them in relation to community and cultural cohesion.

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Figure 3. Karbala users

5.6 Part 3: Virtual technologies

Table 4 and Figure 4 show that almost half of respondents (48.4%) had actually experienced the use of VR or AR. Visitors are more prone to use them as part of the novelty of their experience of the pilgrimage, while local residents may be less likely to use them, and experts could regard them as pedagogical and cultural preservation tools. The fact that over half (51.6%) have not used them signals a growth opportunity for more integration of such features in cultural and religious experiences.

Table 4. Virtual technologies

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Figure 4. Culture and religious identity

Figure 5 shows that of the 48.4% who had actually used VR or AR, only 16.1% rated it as excellent, while over a third (35.5%) cited that they are important for collective memory enhancement (Figure 6). Visitors are more likely to consider these tools beneficial in intensifying their engagement with Karbala's religious and CUL-IDY. Local residents could also gain more historical consciousness using them, while experts may consider them as critical for conveying narratives of cultural importance for continuity among future generations, or enabling remote “visitors” to access Karbala.

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Figure 5. Religious observances performed

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Figure 6. Use of VR/ AR technologies

Figure 6 illustrates the distribution of responses regarding the use of VR and AR technologies across different user groups. The results indicate that although nearly half of respondents have tried immersive technologies, a significant proportion (51.6%) have not yet used these tools. This suggests an opportunity for further technology integration, particularly through improved accessibility and educational initiatives. The figure also highlights the disparity in technology adoption across different demographic groups, reinforcing the need for targeted implementation strategies.

5.7 Part 4: Impacts of religious events on identity

Table 5 and Figure 7 dictate the results concerning the impacts of religious events on identity. As shown in Figure 8, the vast majority (83.9%) of respondents consider that these events conserve religious and cultural identity. Local residents may perceive them to be inherent in their own local community and identity, while visitors consider their engagement as part of integrating with a broader Muslim community. Experts may consider sociological and historical cultural outcomes of religious activities, locally and internationally. In terms of attracting tourists to the city, Figure 9 and Figure 10 show that the majority (72.6%) of respondents consider religious events to be important. This can be expected from visitors themselves, who ipso facto consider religious events to be important in attracting them to the city, while local residents enjoy tourism revenue associated with these activities, and experts may consider the role of visitors in infrastructure development and cultural conservation.

Table 5. Impacts of religious events on identity

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Figure 7. Religious events preserving cultural and religious identity

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Figure 8. Evaluation of VR/AR use

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Figure 9. VR/ AR importance for cultural heritage and collective memory

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Figure 10. Religious events attracting tourists to Karbala

The results of the current survey confirm the essential role of religious rituals in Karbala in enhancing the religious and cultural identity of residents, visitors and experts alike. From the perspective of local residents, these activities embody an extension of their established local heritage, while visitors appreciate them as profound spiritual occasions that contain religious and cultural meanings. As for experts, they point to the great importance of preserving these phenomena as an integral part of the collective and cultural identity.

The results of this study indicate the central importance of religious activity and VR technologies in the cultural and religious identity of the city of Karbala. The talk that has been achieved by combining this unique technology with the adoption of unique elements, including what contributes to the achievement of heritage and the enrichment of cultural heritage, confirms. Rituals rooted in collective memory strengthen social bonds and support a sense of belonging across generations and borders, as they do in protecting intangible heritage from the challenges of modernization. In this context, Karbala has the opportunity to diversify the options of reality and AR, to increase cultural interaction and increase adventurous experiences that respect the spiritual depth of the city. However, these recordings must be carefully recorded on the authenticity of the rituals and take into account the special symbolism, and the visual technology must be loaded interactively and complement the moral and heritage depth of Karbala rather than highlighting it (Figure 12).

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Figure 12. How to integrate modern technologies in Karbala’s

Figure 12 illustrates the strategic integration of modern technologies in Karbala, focusing on virtual and AR applications, smart mobility solutions, and digital heritage documentation. These innovations aim to enhance cultural interaction while preserving the identity of the holy city. The figure highlights key implementation areas, such as immersive storytelling for Muharram rituals and the use of real-time spatial analysis to manage pilgrim movement. By aligning technological developments with Karbala's unique social and religious fabric, this approach ensures that modernization efforts complement rather than disrupt traditional experiences. The survey results reinforce the growing acceptance of these technologies among pilgrims and local stakeholders.

In light of the findings of this study, a set of pivotal recommendations emerge that aim to sustainably preserve the urban heritage and enhance the cultural identity of Karbala. The delicate balancing act between preserving traditions and openness to modernity requires a comprehensive approach that integrates religious, social and technological considerations within a framework that preserves the authenticity of holy sites and their symbolic status. The most prominent of these recommendations are:

1. Long-term urban planning and visitor management: Given that Karbala receives large numbers of pilgrims during religious seasons, future-oriented urban planning becomes an urgent priority. It is recommended that investments be directed towards:

• Developing effective mechanisms to manage traffic and reduce congestion.
• Allocating pedestrian-friendly areas, especially around shrines and important religious sites.
• Establishing temporary public facilities that accommodate seasonal visitors, ensuring their comfort and safety.
• Implementing these measures contributes to enhancing the efficiency of the Hajj and the visitor experience, while preserving the city’s historical urban fabric.

2. Enhancing the role of VR (VR/AR) technologies: VR and AR should be adopted in a manner that takes into account the sensitivities of the religious context and its community culture, to be a complementary factor that enhances the visitor experience rather than replacing it. These technologies can:

• Provide interactive platforms to present the history and spiritual value of Karbala, especially for those who are unable to visit in person.
• Support the transfer of religious and cultural knowledge to future generations in a modern and attractive manner.
• Preserve direct spiritual participation as the essence of the religious experience, while opening new horizons for interaction and learning.

3. Empowering the local community and protecting heritage: Involving residents in cultural initiatives and programs that support heritage enhances their connection to the city and ensures the sustainability of preservation efforts. These initiatives include:

• Educational programs that highlight the importance of Karbala’s architectural and historical heritage.
• Training courses in digital documentation, which contribute to the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage.
• Participatory urban planning mechanisms that allow the local community to actively engage in decision-making, ensuring that modernization projects are compatible with local values and the needs of the people of Karbala.

4. Diversifying cultural and economic activity: Expanding the scope of attraction in Karbala to include cultural, artistic and educational aspects opens up new opportunities for economic growth, while preserving the essence of cultural identity. This can be achieved through:

• Holding heritage festivals and artistic and cultural programs that introduce the city locally and internationally.
• Organizing educational workshops and historical exhibitions that allow visitors and the local community to explore the city's cultural and spiritual dimension.
• Adopting marketing policies that take into account religious and cultural dimensions, to direct tourism towards a sustainable pattern that preserves the city's identity and enhances its economic resources.

5. Preserving architectural and archaeological landmarks: The urban and archaeological sites in Karbala require intensive efforts to ensure the continuity of their spiritual and cultural importance in the long term. These efforts include:

• Adopting sustainable heritage management that takes into account the safety of historical buildings and landmarks.
• Implementing responsible tourism practices that reduce the negative impact of visitors on the urban and natural environment. Preserving intangible cultural heritage, including customs, rituals and oral traditions, and transmitting it to future generations as an essential element of the city’s identity (Figure 14).

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Figure 14. Karbala’s cultural and religious