Iranian Official Due in Iraq to Discuss Pilgrimage on Arbaeen
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi said he plans to pay a visit to neighboring Iraq on Saturday to pursue issues relating to the needs of pilgrims going to the Arab country on Arbaeen.
Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Ohadi said the objective behind the trip is to meet with Iraqi officials and discuss the issue of pilgrimage on Arbaeen, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shiite Imam, Imam Hussain (AS).
During his talks with Iraqi officials, the two sides will decide on the establishment of a special committee for Arbaeen in a bid to offer more services to pilgrims, he added.
The structure of the committee will be defined after consultations with the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Hassan Danaeifar.
Last year, around 20 million pilgrims from all over the world gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala to attend the mourning ceremonies marking Arbaeen.
Each year, pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein is located.
More than 1.2 million pilgrims flocked to Iraq this year from Iran alone to perform the mourning rituals.