Iran Ready to Host 400,000 Foreign Pilgrims for Arbaeen

TEHRAN (IQNA) – An official with the Iranian Interior Ministry says that the country is ready to host 400,000 pilgrims who seek to pass through Iran to reach Iraq for the great march of Arbaeen.

According to Seyed Majid Mirahmadi, deputy Interior Minister and head of Iran’s Arbaeen Headquarters, the borders for the entry and exit of foreign pilgrims have been determined and related provinces have been tasked with preparing the grounds for hosting the pilgrims.

He said on Friday that the responsibility of accompanying foreign pilgrims inside Iran has been given to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).

Some 100,000 foreign pilgrims, mostly from Afghanistan, reached Iraq after going through Iran in the Arbaeen of 2019, he said, adding that according to estimates, this number may reach 400,000 this year.

The Arbaeen mourning ceremony is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

It marks the 40th day after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (AS). This year’s Arbaeen falls on September 17.

Each year, a huge crowd of Shias flock to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.

The pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to the holy city.

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