AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iraq’s Interior Minister, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, recently shared insights on the security measures being put in place for the upcoming Arbaeen pilgrimage.
He revealed that two committees, namely the high security committee and the service committee, have been established to review past experiences and ensure a smooth pilgrimage this year.
Al-Shammari stated that preparations for Arbaeen began last week, which included a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran for discussions with the Iranian authorities. The meetings resulted in agreements on the procedures for the entry, dispatch, and return of pilgrims, as well as their passage through border crossings, Middle East News website reported.
The Minister further clarified the arrangements for Iranian public transport vehicles. He confirmed that these vehicles would be permitted to return the pilgrims to the border crossings during the final days of the Arbaeen pilgrimage.
While most aspects of the pilgrimage have been agreed upon with Iran, Al-Shammari highlighted an exception concerning Pakistani pilgrims. He noted that specific criteria have been set for this group due to past instances of individuals overstaying their visas.
Arbaeen is a religious event that is observed by Shia Muslims on the fortieth day after the Day of Ashura. It commemorates the 40th day of martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the third Shia imam, who was killed by the army of Yazid I in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
Arbaeen is also known as the Ziyarat of Arbaeen, which means the visitation of Imam Hussein’s (AS) shrine in Karbala, Iraq, where his body is buried. Ziyarat is an act of pilgrimage and devotion in Shia Islam.
Arbaeen is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world, with millions of Shia Muslims from different countries walking to Karbala from various cities in Iraq and neighboring countries. The distance can range from 80 km to 500 km or more, depending on the starting point.
This year’s Arbaeen is expected to fall on August 25, depending on the moonsighting.
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