Over 3 Million Pilgrims Cross Iran-Iraq Border for Arbaeen
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The number of people who have crossed the border between Iran and Iraq during the past recent weeks for the Arbaeen pilgrimage has surpassed three million, an official said.
The commander of the Arbaeen headquarters of the Iranian Police said on Saturday that more than three million pilgrims have left the country via six border crossings with Iraq during the Arbaeen season, which marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shiite Imam.
General Mohammad Sharafi noted that the wave of return of the Iranian pilgrims from Iraq began on Friday, and that the conditions at the border crossings are normal and there have been no security problems.
The bulk of pilgrims have opted for the Mehran border crossing to travel to Iraq.
This year, the six border crossings of Khosravi, Mehran, Chazzabeh, Shalamcheh, Tamarchin and Bashmaq are open to the Arbaeen pilgrims.
Arbaeen, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shiite Imam.
Each year, a huge crowd of Shiites flock to the Iraqi city of Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.
Iran and Iraq have signed agreements to remove visa restrictions for the Arbaeen pilgrims, raise the level of services and facilities for the pilgrims, and enhance border security during the pilgrimage season, which will culminate in a large gathering in Karbala on September 6.
