Iranian President Describes Arbaeen as Greatest Muslim Congregation
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani praised as "the most spectacular congregation of Muslims" the procession of pilgrims in Iraq marking Arbaeen, the 40th day after the anniversary of the third Shiite Imam’s martyrdom.
“The congregation commemorating Arbaeen is the most unique and the greatest gathering of Muslims,” President Rouhani said on Tuesday, addressing a session of the country’s Supreme Council on Cultural Revolution.
Millions of Muslims have attended the overcrowded procession of pilgrims marking Arbaeen, forty days after the anniversary of martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS).
An estimated number of above one million pilgrims are expected to travel to Iraq only from Iran this year for the religious rituals.
Elsewhere in his comments, President Rouhani predicted that the “greatest ever Muslim congregation in the history of Islam” would be formed in Iraq’s holy city of Karbala this year.
He said the magnificent event would send messages to both friends and enemies.
The gathering would show the power of Muslims to the enemies and dishearten them, and as the same time indicates Muslim unity, the president explained.
Each year, pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to the holy city of Karbala, where the tomb of Imam Hussein (AS) is located.