Visa Requirements for Arbaeen Pilgrims of Iran Lifted
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraq has removed visa requirements for the Iranian pilgrims planning to visit the Arab country for Arbaeen rituals, Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Vahidi said the Iranian pilgrims that intend to travel to Iraq for this year’s Arbaeen season won’t need to obtain a visa.
He said the arrangements on the removal of visa requirements were finalized during the Iraqi interior minister’s visit to Tehran in late May.
The interior minister noted that both the ordinary and pilgrimage passport holders will be allowed visa-free travels to Iraq.
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.
This year, Arbaeen will fall on August 25.