AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The Ambassador of Iraq to the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that pilgrims from 150 countries are participating in this year's Arbaeen March, with their numbers increasing daily.
Nasir Abdul Mohsen Abdullah stated on Tuesday morning during the opening ceremony of the Arbaeen Mission that the pilgrimage is a collaborative effort between committees from Iran and Iraq, which hold meetings throughout the year to coordinate.
He expressed appreciation to the governments of both countries for making the necessary preparations for the Arbaeen March rituals, acknowledging the procession leaders, Mawakib organizers, and security personnel for ensuring the safety of this significant event.
He then noted that the Arbaeen March began a few days ago towards Karbala, mentioning that while these rituals were previously held locally, many martyrs sacrificed their lives to transform the once-forbidden march into a global phenomenon.
Nasir Abdul Mohsen Abdullah added, "Pilgrims from 150 countries are participating in the Arbaeen March, and their number is increasing every day. We hope the number of participants will reach 50 million people."
The Iraqi ambassador to Iran emphasized, "We, the Iraqi people, believe that everything we have is first from the grace of God and then from the grace of Imam Hussain (AS). So whatever we offer to the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (AS) is little. We say to our Iranian brothers and other pilgrims that our hearts and the doors of our homes are open to you. We hope that you participate in this event in good health and return to your families safely."
Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the killing of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, by the forces of the caliph Yazid in 680 AD.
The annual pilgrimage usually sees millions of worshippers from different countries, mostly Iraqis and Iranians, going on foot to converge on the central city of Karbala in Iraq.
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