Iran, Iraq stress borders kept closed

Tehran (IP) - The Commander of Iran's Border Guard stressed that Iran-Iraq borders are kept closed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, urging the pilgrims not to march toward borders for taking part in the Arba'een march in Iraq.

Iran Press/Iran News: Visiting Shalamcheh border on Sunday, Brigadier General Ahmadali Gudarzi stressed the border is closed to the Arba'een pilgrims, adding that based on a decision of the Iraqi government and Iran's National Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus, the Arba'een march ritual will not be held this year. 

General Gudarzi noted that Iraqi officials have repeatedly stressed in joint talks with Iranian officials that no decision will be made to reopen the border.

20 Safar 1442 AH (October 8, 2020), Arba'een, marks the 40th day of martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and 72 of his companions in 680 AD in a land known today as Iraq after they refused to pledge allegiance to the tyrant of time Yazid.

Each year, a huge crowd of Shias, as well as followers of other religions, including the Christians, march toward Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (PBUH) is located to perform mourning rites marking Arba'een.

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