AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iraq’s interior minister said plans are being devised ahead of the Arbaeen season to ensure the security of the pilgrims.
Abdul Amir al-Shammari made the remarks in an address to a conference titled “Millions-Strong Pilgrimages”, which was held in Baghdad on Wednesday.
He said in this year’s security initiative for Arbaeen, the responsibilities of all intelligence and security apparatuses and forces have been clearly defined.
He added that the country is read for hosting millions of Arbaeen pilgrims.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani also addressed the conference, saying millions of people visit the holy shrines of Infallible Imams (AS) in Iraq every year, which is a great blessing for the country.
He also appreciated the efforts made by all related bodies in Iraq to facilitate the annual Arbaeen march and serve the pilgrims.
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 falls on August 25.
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