Number of Foreign Abaeen Pilgrims Arriving in Iraq Exceeds 3.4 Million

BAGHDAD (IQNA) – Iraq’s interior ministry said more than 3.4 million foreign pilgrims have entered the Arab country since the start of the Arbaeen season.

The ministry said they have arrived in Iraq from the country’s border crossings as well airports.

The arrival of pilgrims continues as the day of Arabeen approaches, it added, according to Al-Surmaiya News.

The ministry highlighted the intensified security measures and said a special committee chaired by Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari is monitoring the rituals and the roads leading to Karbala to ensure the security of the pilgrims.

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 will fall 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.

Last month, Iraqi officials expressed their readiness to host up to five million pilgrims from foreign countries during the Arbaeen season.

4166701