Iran to Connect Railroad Network to Iraq: Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the spokesman for the Iranian administration, said the country plans to connect its railroad network to Iraq's in a bid to facilitate the movement of pilgrims.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Nobakht said the order to link Iran’s railroad network with that of Iraq was issued during the cabinet meeting.
“This project can be beneficial for further communication between the two neighboring countries and the two nations, especially for the pilgrims traveling to the holy city of Karbala,” Nobakht said.
The remarks came as the number of Iranian pilgrims traveling to Iraq for attending Arbaeen mourning ceremony this year has reached 1.2 million.
The Arbaeen mourning event, which is held to mark the 40th day after the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world and falls on December 13 this year.
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.