President Urges Efforts to Facilitate Iranian Pilgrims’ Participation in Arbaeen Procession

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi said all related government bodies should do their best to facilitate participation of Iranians in this year’s Arbaeen procession in Iraq.

Speaking at a cabinet session here in Tehran on Wednesday, the president said holding diplomatic consultations with Iraqi officials and ensuring the existence of required infrastructures are important steps.

He added that all necessary preparations should be made for gloriously organizing the annual event.

Raeisi also stressed the need for government bodies to use the popular capacities and potentials in this regard.

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). The day of Arbaeen falls on September 17 this year.

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.

Some officials have predicted that around five million Iranians will travel to Iraq to take part in the Arbaeen procession this year.

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