Iran Press/ Middle East: The first vice president and chairman of the Supreme Joint Council of Iran and Iraq, Eshaq Jahangiri, who is attending the Arbaeen ceremony in Najaf, on Tuesday, congratulated Barham Salih as the new president of Iraq again on Tuesday, and wished him success in solving the problems of the country.
Referring to the deep political, economic, cultural and scientific relations between Iran and Iraq, Jahangiri expressed hope that the relations between the two countries would develop in all possible ways, IRNA reported.
The first vice president also invited Barham Salih to visit Iran -- an offer which the Iraqi president accepted.
President Salih also expressed his satisfaction with the presence of Iran's first vice-president among the Arbaeen mourners and pilgrims of Imam Hossein (PBUH) in Iraq.
Iran's first vice president, Es'haq Jahangiri in the middle of the pilgrims in great walk of the Arbaeen
Jahangiri who has attended the great walk of the Arbaeen said among the crowd that "The spiritual ceremony of Arbaeen has paved the way for mutual understanding and friendship between Iranian and Iraqi nations.
'The opportunity provided by presence of millions of Iranian pilgrims in Iraq reaps many financial and spiritual benefits; so the occasion should be commemorated forever,' said Jahangiri in a meeting with Governor General of Najaf Seyed Javad al-Yaseri.
Jahangiri said he is now in Iraq to appreciate Iraqi government and nation for hosting more than two million Iranian pilgrims.He said the religious dignitaries should be thanked for helping better organization of the event.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Jahangiri said elections in Iraq are a great show of democracy in the region.
Najaf Governor General, Seyed Javad al-Yasiri, in turn asserted Arbaeen plays an essential role in consolidation of Iran-Iraq relations. He said he was happy over futility of enemy plots to divide Iranian and Iraqi people.'We are regretful of attack on Iranian consulate in Basra and hope that relations between the two countries will expand in light of efforts made in that connection.
Iran's first vice president, Eshaq Jahangiri visiting the shrine of Imam Ali (PBUH) in Najaf
Iran's First Vice President, Eshaq Jahangiri, earlier on Tuesday visited the shrine of Imam Ali (AS), the first Shia Imam in the Iraqi city of Najaf.
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), the third Imam of the Shia Muslims. Every year millions of Iranian Shia Muslims and Muslims from other countries travel to the holy cities of Iraq to make Arbaeen pilgrimage. This year Arbaeen falls on October 30.
Read more:
Leader of Islamic Revolution attends Arbaeen mourning ceremony
Live coverage of Arbaeen mourning ceremonies in 'Bein al-Haramein'
Zarif: "17 million Muslims from across the world take part in Arbaeen mourning"
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