In recent decades, religious tourism to the Atabat Al-Aliyat and the Arbaeen mega-event—drawing millions of tourists and pilgrims—have evolved beyond mere acts of worship into significant phenomena within the realms of soft power, cultural diplomacy, and regional integration. This study employs a mixed-methods approach (quantitative-qualitative) within a systematic review framework, integrating scientometric analysis with a qualitative systematic review. A total of 226 sources were systematically retrieved from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Lens, and Dimensions (covering 1964–2025), alongside Persian sources (covering 2010–2026). Co-occurrence networks were mapped using VOSviewer software, and bibliometric indicators were calculated. Qualitative content analysis was conducted on 1,410 initial codes across three stages (open, axial, and selective coding) using MAXQDA software. The study selection and screening process was documented in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Scientometric findings revealed that the international literature is broader and more diverse (120 nodes, 350 links, TLS=1450, density=0.04), whereas the Persian literature exhibits a smaller yet more compact structure (15 nodes, 26 links, TLS=26, density=0.247). The average network degree was 3.8 for the international network and 2.8 for the domestic network; the modularity of both networks was estimated to be approximately equal, at 0.32. Content analysis identified six thematic clusters in Persian sources and eight in international sources. The findings suggest that *Atabat* tourism can be viewed as a form of "human-centric geopolitics" that plays a role in generating soft power and enhancing the geopolitical weight of the Shia world through cultural diplomacy, transnational networking, and the creation of social capital. The pilgrimage space has evolved from a merely sacred site into a geopolitical arena where faith, collective movement, memory, and human networks converge to generate transnational influence.