Iranian Medical Teams in Iraq to Serve Arbaeen Pilgrims
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran has sent 22 tons of medicine as well as medical staff to neighboring Iraq to help the country provide medical services to the pilgrims in the holy city of Karbala on Arbaeen, the 40th day after the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hossein (PBUH).
“Totally, 180 people, including general surgeons, cardiologists, internists, specialists in emergency medicine and anesthesia, general practitioners, male and female nurses, and medicine specialists, have been deployed to Iraq,” Seyed Ali Marashi, the head of Hajj and Pilgrimage Medical Center of the Iranian Red Crescent Society announced on Sunday.
The Iranian official also said 22 tons of medicinal supplies have been sent to Karbala.
The Arbaeen ceremony, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, falls on December 13 this year.
Millions of Shiite Muslim will flock into the holy city of Karbala to mark the 40th day after the anniversary of the martyrdom of their 3rd Imam, Imam Hossein (PBUH).
For nearly 30 years under Saddam's regime it was forbidden to commemorate Arbaeen publicly in Iraq.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Marashi announced that Iran also plans to send a team of 100 medical staff to Saudi Arabia ahead of Iranian nationals’ visits to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina for performing Umrah pilgrimage.
