Iran Press/Iran News: As Arbaeen day approaches, thousands of pilgrims flock towards Iraq and the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala to participate in the grand commemoration of Imam Hussein (PBUH).
Meanwhile, as the records indicate over 3 million are registers so far to take part in this march, Iran Press reported.
Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization's manager of Khuzestan province, Nasser Huwaizawi said, "The Hajj organization as ahead of the dispatch committee has worked well with all units inside Iraq to serve pilgrims."
"Over 72,000 foreign nationals have also registered up until the moment," he added.
He said, "Unfortunately, some of the Iranian pilgrims have been injured or lost their lives in traffic accidents in Iraq, and Hajj and pilgrimage organization, in cooperation with Iranian Insurance, will provide insurance services to these people."
"In addition to its necessary services to the marchers, the organization under my supervision provides more services to pilgrims through Chazzabeh border", Huwaizawi highlighted.
This year, the visa requirement was removed for the pilgrims as a “positive step” toward paving the way for Iranian pilgrims visiting neighbouring Iraq.
Arbaeen pilgrimage is a distinctively spiritual exercise, gathering Shias as well as Sunnis, even Christians and Zoroastrians, etc. from various nationalities altogether making their ways to the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, walking towards the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) commemorating the 40th day of his martyrdom in the battle of Karbala, in 680 AD.
Last year about 1.8 million Iranians took part in the ritual. This is while in 2011 only 50,000 took the trek to Karbala which shows a great surge in the number of pilgrims taking the long walk to pay tribute to the third Shia Imam. 101/211/219
Read More:
509,000 Arbaeen pilgrims departing Shalamcheh for Karbala since Oct. 1st
Khosravi border reopening facilitates for the Arbaeen pilgrimage
Arbaeen pilgrims rush Mehran Crossing at Iran-Iraq border
