Iraq to Issue Free Vises for Arbaeen Pilgrims from Pakistan, Afghanistan
Ahmed Al-Sahaf, the spokesman for the foreign ministry, said at a press conference that the country’s embassy in the Iranian capital of Tehran and its diplomatic missions in the cities of Kermanshah and Ahvaz will issue the free visas for Pakistani and Afghan pilgrims.
He added that Pakistani citizens can also obtain their visas from the Iraqi embassy in Islamabad.
Those from India who wish to take part in the annual Arbaeen march can refer to the Iraqi diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Mumbai, he went on to say.
Iraq has made all necessary preparations to receive foreign pilgrims coming to the country for Arbaeen.
Earlier, the country said it expects some five million pilgrims from foreign countries to arrive in Iraq in the Arbaeen season.
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 fell on September 6.
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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