AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): In a letter to the Prime Minister of Iraq, the head
of the Supreme Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly expressed
gratitude to the government, nation, Holy Shrines, and service institutions of
Iraq for a month of service and hospitality to the pilgrims of Imam Hussain
(a.s.) during Arbaeen, and the pilgrims of Imam Ali (a.s.) on 28 Safar, and
other Infallible Imams (a.s.) in the country.
The letter of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and the CEO of Ashura International Foundation is as follows:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Dr. Mohammad Shia’ al-Sudani, Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq
Peace (Salam) be upon you
With the end of the month of Safar 1445 (2023), which was accompanied by the re-creation of the unique epics of the Iraqi people in hospitality and welcoming millions of pilgrims to the Holy Shrines - as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Great Marja’, Grand Ayatollah Imam Khamenei expressed his gratitude - I consider it necessary to express the gratitude of mine and the members of the Supreme Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly to Your Excellency and to the honorable people of Iraq.
From the first days of Safar, millions of enthusiasts of Imam Hussain (a.s.) from Iraq, Iran, the Indian subcontinent, African and Asian countries, Arab and Western countries, and other countries, rushed to Karbala - the rendezvous of love, sacrifice, and resistance - for pilgrimage. In this season, many pilgrims had the honor of attending the pilgrimage of the Infallible and Immaculate Imams (a.s.) in Najaf, Kadhimiya, and Samarra. Especially at the end of this month, on the demise anniversary of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), they went for the pilgrimage of his successor and brother, the Amir of the Faithful, and the Caliph of the Messenger of God, Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) in Najaf.
During this month, kind and hospitable people, government agencies, Holy Shrines, service institutions, and military and law enforcement forces of Iraq, with their sincere and warm welcome, and their round-the-clock efforts, provided various facilities to these pilgrims.
Welcoming and escorting at the borders, providing transportation, water supply, electricity, and gas supply, providing hundreds of millions of meals, cultural and propagational services, health and treatment measures, creating rest facilities in thousands of Mowkebs, and securing these millions of pilgrims, was a very big and exhausting task that you and your countrymen carried out.
It is a very high virtue that God blesses human beings to serve the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (a.s.). Because, according to Hadiths: “He (Imam Hussain (a.s.)) grabs the right side of the (God’s) Throne and asks the court: O God! grant me what you promised me! Indeed, he looks at his pilgrims, and he is more aware of them and their names and the names of their fathers and what they have in their luggage than what they know of their children. He looks at those who have cried for him and asks for their forgiveness and also asks for their forgiveness from his honorable father, (Imam Ali (a.s.).)”
Therefore, those who spend their welfare, wealth, life, and reputation to help the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (a.s.) have a high status in the eyes of God Almighty and the Infallibles (a.s.).
May the Lord of the Universe accept your efforts and services, and all the people and officials of the land of Mesopotamia, and may He register all our names in the book of servants to the pilgrims of Infallible and Immaculate AhlulBayt (a.s.).
May God give you the best reward, and may your efforts be appreciated
Good luck
Muhammad Hassan Akhtari
Chairman of the Supreme Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly
and CEO of Ashura International Foundation
September 17, 2023
Rabiʽ al-Awwal 1, 1445
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