More than 2 million Shiite Muslims arrive in Iraq to mark Arbaeen
Million of Shiite Muslims marking the annual Arbaeen visit in Karbala, Iraq. Photo: AFP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday the arrival of more than two million Shiite Muslims in Iraq to mark the annual Shiite festival, Arbaeen.
The Director of Media and Public Relations at the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, Saad Maan, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that more than two million visitors have entered Iraq so far through border crossings and airports.
The Iraqi security official pointed out that security forces are deployed in public places to secure the roads and prevent road accidents.
Earlier, the Commander of the Border Guards of Iran, Ahmad Ali Goudarzi, confirmed on Tuesday that 6,000 personnel from the Border Guard forces are securing eight border crossings between Iran and Iraq to protect the Arbaeen visitors.
“All border crossings are equipped with the necessary infrastructure to provide the required services to visitors,” Goudarzi told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
The Iranian official added that Iraq cooperated fully with Iran to speed up procedures and facilitate the movement of visitors.
The event marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, by the forces of the caliph Yazid in 680 AD.