Visa Requirements for Arbaeen Pilgrims Not Lifted: Iranian Deputy FM
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian deputy foreign minister rejected reports that Iraq has removed visa requirements for pilgrims going to the Arab country for Arbaeen rituals, stressing that visitors will still need visas from the Iraqi government to cross the border.
Speaking to Tasnim on Sunday, Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Expatriates’ Affairs Hassan Qashqavi warned Iranian pilgrims not to head to the Iraqi border without a visa.
Unfortunately, Baghdad has no decision to lift visa requirements for Iranian pilgrims despite Tehran’s repeated proposals for introduction of a visa-free regime between the two countries, he added.
The Iranian diplomat said some media outlets are encouraging people to travel to the holy city of Karbala in Iraq without a visa, urging them to stop making “false claims” about a removal of visa requirements.
Qashqavi also warned the public against departing for Iraq without passports and visas.
The Arbaeen mourning ceremony is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
It marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (AS).
Each year, pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located.
Last year, around 20 million pilgrims from all over the world gathered in Karbala on Arbaeen.
